Rates not up!

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 386, 14 May 1991, Page 1

Rates not up!

Rate needs held at last year's levels, and boards get their wish lists.

The total rate take for the Ruapehu District looks set to be held at the 1990-91 levels for the 1991-92 year, and that is with almost all community board special request work having been accommodated in the budget.

The Ruapehu District Council's draft Annual Plan 1991/92 was released at last week's full council meeting. It will be debated at next month's full council meeting and the public have a right to make submissions, until 28 June. The council will hear submissions in July and will then confirm or amend the plan and then set the 1991/92 rates. The plan contains the council's proposed major objectives, policies and financial plans for the next three years and the 1991/92 year in particular. "It is particularly pleasing to see the total rates needed held at last year's level, despite inheriting a difficult position and despite inflation at more than five per cent," said mayor Garrick Workman. He said variations in individual rates will be brought about through property valuation changes and specific

user charges changes. To achieve the rates containment some amendment to the council's roading programme has had to be made. These include a general cut in maintenance across the district. Rural general maintenance is reduced by 10 per cent in the north but increased by 13.7 per cent in the south, which amounts to an overall decrease of 5.1 per cent. The urban areas of the southern wards there is proposed a 15.8 per cent decrease, the majority of which comes from Raetihi. Increases have been proposed in National Park, Owhango and Ohura towns. Improved techniques "This will not affect the basic integrity of our maintenance programme as firstly we have been able to reduce plant hire charges due to a surplus in the Plant Operating TurnDaee2

Council holds spending

From page 1 Account," said general manager Cliff Houston in the draft plan introduction. "and secondly we are using improved maintenance techniques which are reducing the basic cost of maintenance." The 'optional extras' have substantially been deleted from the programme but can be reinstated in later years when additional funds are available, says the draft plan. Mr Houston says in the plan that they have been careful not to delete items which could lead to additional costs in the future. Included in the roading

programme in the draft is seal widening on the Pipiriki Road and Miro Street in Ohakune, and unsealed smoothing on the Pipiriki Road. In non-subsidised works there is provision for the extra width of Railway Row which is being upgraded by New Zealand Railways. Extensions to footpaths in Miro St in Ohakune and Grey St in Raetihi are included as well as new footpaths in Waiouru. Promotion The sum of $136,000 for the Council's promotion and development activities is included, which covers the cost of employing a dis-

trict marketing officer, the upgrading and maintenance of the information centre in Ohakune. Other activities in the draft plan include: a community survey to gauge customer satisfaction ($5000); forestry employment promotion. In the budget, increased costs in refuse collection are anticipated in Raetihi and Ohakune, which is expected to be reflected in the contract price. Rates would be collected in much the same way as before, but proposed is a separate rate on commercial and industrial propertles to cover part of the council's promotion of the district, including supporting local promotion and development organisations. Capital value rating is to be "thoroughly examined" during the 1991/92 year, to determine if it has any advantages over the present land value system. To be reviewed is the electoral representation and council structure, though this depends on proposed changes to the law. Included in the statistical information in the plan are staffing figures, with total full time

equivalents of 126 as opposed to 138 last year. When the council came into being there were 150 staff. Included in the draft plan are many objectives and performance indicators. One, under

the heading 'District Water Supplies' is: "To design and construct the Ohakune Water Supply Treatment System by 30 June 1992" and 'To undertake Seddon Street water main replacement by 30 June 1992".