Ratepayers warned to expect big rates rise

Press, 14 February 1986, Page 5

Ratepayers warned to expect big rates rise

Ratepayers should start preparing themselves for a big increase in rates this year, the Heathcote County Chairman, Mr Oscar Alpers, told a meeting of his council’s finance and administration committee last evening.

Mr Alpers said he knew of at least three authorities that were looking at a minimum increase of 25 per cent. “It is starting to look very much that 25 per cent will be the norm. “It may be unwelcome

news for ratepayers but I think they had better start getting prepared for it." Mr Alpers said that when such a big part of rates income was spent on State-linked salaries, a big increase in rates was to be expected in response to a big wage increase.

Local bodies that had to spend a much larger portion on salaries than Heathcote spent were “really in a cleft stick,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of firing staff but that is what is happening at

Waimairi.”Mr Alpers suggested that the Heathcote council start looking at this year’s budget earlier than in previous years, to establish spending priorities. Non-essential work could perhaps be deferred until next year. Cr Gil Laurenson said the council had to ensure that it made the best use of its labour resources. “If anything (works) can be curtailed or even eliminated, we should consider doing so,” he said.

The council has asked the County Clerk and the County Engineer to prepare preliminary budget information for consideration at the April committee meetings. MOUNT VERNON The Christchurch Civic Trust was reported to have fallen behind with its interest payments to the Heathcote County Council for money lent to buy the Mount Vernon block. The council lent the trust $75,000 in November, 1984, at an interest

rate of 10 per cent. Repayments of principal are by $25,000 instalments on June 30, 1985, 1986, and 1987. So far, the trust has repaid $25,000 and made one interest payment. Interest due in December had yet to be paid, the council was told. Cr Bob Simcock said the trust should be reminded that Heathcote had a responsibility to its ratepayers and that the council was not a charity for greater Christchurch.