Waimarino rural hard hit

Ruapehu Bulletin, 10 August 1990, Page 6

Waimarino rural hard hit

The major issue that faces the Council is the difference in general rates in the dollar between what was the rural ward of the Waimarino District and rural areas of the Taumarunui County and Rangitikei County.

That difference is particularly pronounced and makes for an adverse impact upon the ratepayers of the Waimarino rural area. This appears to be the major impediment to adopting the new system although rating levels in other small communities would also increase the application of the uniform annual general charge as for example last year no such charge was applied in the Owhango township. It is hoped that these issues can be resolved at the 31 August Council meeting and a rate instalment based on the new system issued on 1 October. A possibility exists, to give some further relief to the rural area, to charge certain "people" services more against the urban areas as a reflection of where the population lies. However if it is not possible to reach a satisfactory accord on the method it may be necessary for Council to consider introducing a differential rating system and in the meantime issuing an interim rates

instalment based on the level of transitional quarter rating. If the Council decided that some form of differential rating was required or desirable it would need to specify the matters taken into account in preparing the proposed system and define what the system is intended to achieve. It will also have to give an indication as to the general effect that the introduction of differential rating would have. Any proposal has to be made by what is known as a "Special Order" procedure in that the Council passes a resolution to adopt the proposal and confirms it at a later meeting being held not less than 60 days later than the first public notice being given of the proposal. The Special Order procedure therefore gives the public the right to comment on the proposal being put forward and the Special Order can be modified to the extent the Council considers necessary as a result of public submissions being made.

Cliff

Houston

GENERAL MANAGER