Heathcote’s Rates Increased

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31094, 24 June 1966, Page 12

Heathcote’s Rates Increased

Heathcote ratepayers will pay higher rates this year to finance a big road works programme.

The Heathcote County Council last night set the rate at 1.25 d in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property. This means an increase of 18s 3d per £lOOO of capital value.

There is no general increase In water rates or electricity charges. There is a reduction in the special rate paid by ratepayers in the Cashmere water supply loan special area. The council has budgeted for a total expenditure of £274,955 in the current financial year. The heaviest spending will be £131,623, made up of £23.680 on administration (salaries £8000); loan repayments £8132; road maintenance, £16,000; major construction of roads, £27,636; and minor road improvements, £22.700.

The council will spend £28,205 on the county water supply and £120,750 on electricity reticulation. The electricity tariff will remain unaltered but will be subject to review after it has been discussed by the electrical committee. >

The principal item in the electricity budget is £86,000 earmarked for purchase of power. Commenting on the estimates, the chairman (Mr C. D. Le Comte) said that although some would like to see more money spent, consideration had to be given to pen-

sioners and young married men with families. Cr. L. L. Smith said it was wise to advance the road works programme now “as this work will never be done cheaper.” All councillors agreed that the increase was not more than could be fairly handled by a cross-section of the community.