Council Keeps Promise to Keep Rates Rise Down

The Council received 122 submissions to its 2008/2009 Draft Annual Plan and as a result of these, some of the proposed funding reductions have been increased.

A number of submissions requested that Council increase its expenditure over a range of activities.

After deliberation, Council agreed to further expenditure amounting to $163,700 in items such as: the retention of the maintenance, reconfiguration and the provision of a water supply to the Cambridge Street Rose Gardens; the retention of maintenance mowing at Mangaore Village, Kennedy Park, and the Foxton River Loop; and increased mowing at Jubilee Park, and Holben Reserve; the retention of the Bath Street toilets (pending replacement); purchase of pool cover for Foxton Pool; an increased grant to the Levin Adventure Park.

The Annual Plan was adopted on 25 June 2008 with a general rates increase of 8.75 per cent for the 2008/2009 financial year. When combined with projected targeted rate variations, the projected increase to Council's rating revenue for the 2008/09 year will be 7.74%.

Mr Ward said the Council tried hard not to waiver in its bid to keep the rates increase to a minimum.

"We were responding to the management of growth in our District, and mindful of the need to ensure infrastructure was maintained in a satisfactory state and that adequate provision was made for the future maintenance of those assets and facilities. We also have to meet statutory compliance on an increasing range of legislation."

"We have big projects this financial year, and the floods in January added $350,000 to this year's budget for the replacement of Kirkaldies Bridge near Ohau."

During the Draft Annual Plan process, Council received a lot of support for projects including the Levin Community Centre and the Foxton Amenity Building.

Within the Council, the intention to carry our work in-house rather than outsource it was one of the key factors in keeping down rising costs.