Ruapehu rates to drop

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 437, 19 May 1992, Page 7

Ruapehu rates to drop

Rates for most of Ruapehu District land owners will drop for the next financial year, except for Ohakune. At last weeks Ruapehu District Council's meeting the draft of 1992/93 Annual Plan was discussed in a "workshop" type session. One of the major topics was that of the district's rating policy. General Manager Cliff Houston said the Council had set him a target last year of reducing the rate intake to 95% of the previous year's rates. Mr Houston said this had been achieved and ratepayers in most areas could expect a further substantial reduction in next year's rates. The exception would be Ohakune where there

would be a small increase to pay for the water treatment plant which is presently being installed. For 1992-93 the council needs $1,607,700 from the general rate as opposed to $1,608,200 for the present financial year. $1,976,400 will be rated through the uniform annual general charge ($2,048,800 this year); $638,700 for roading in the Waimarino & Waiouru ($653,100 - 1991-92); $1,224,600 for northern roading ($1,484,000 1991-92); and $55,500 for promotion (last year $55,600). The draft annual plan is available to the public at council offices and libraries and the public are

able to make submissions to it, by 5pm 19 June. Concern was expressed at the meeting about rate arrears Of the two instalments already billed $4,904,384 has been collected. This represents 88.3% of the rates which should have been collected throughout the whole district. As at 1 July 1991 rate arrears from the previous year of $2,187,348 were outstanding. Since then two 6monthly penalties have been added and as at 31 March 1992 $791,166 has been collected from the above opening balance. However a further

$371,296 has been levied as 6-monthly penalties with $51,678 being collected to date. This rate arrears collection equates to only a 36.17% collection. Mayor Workman said that ratepayers should know if they are having difficulty in finding the money in these harsh economic times, that Council is prepared to help them and meet them half way. "Rates are just another account which have to be paid - the problem won't just go away but ratepayers should know that they are welcome and indeed encouraged to discuss their problems with Council so that a satisfactory arrangement can be arrived at," he said.