Draft Annual Plan - rates for Waiouru & Waimarino

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 2 June 1992, Page 2

Draft Annual Plan - rates for Waiouru & Waimarino

Ruapehu mayor Garrick Workman outlines some of the rates issues from the 1992/93 Annual Plan: The 1992/93 Draft Annual Plan was considered and adopted by Council at its 15 May meeting. Ratepayers and residents throughout the District have the opportunity of making a submission to Council on any aspect of the plan bearing in mind any additional cost may well increase the amount of rate funding required and that will increase rates The net working capital available to Council increased by $334,000 in Council's first financial year. That position is expected to improve by a further $500,00 for the period ending 30 June 1992. Northern and Southern roading rates One of the real "thorny" issues the Council has had to deal with since its inception has been the significant difference in rates levied between the rural areas formerly administered bv

the Taumarunui, Waimarino and Rangitikei county councils. The Waimarino County ratepayers paid by far the lowest rates of the three areas and this posed problems for us when the current rating policy was being developed. In its first full year of operation Council resolved a differential rate would apply favouring the Waimarino Ward. Nevertheless rates still rose sharply in the Waimarino rural area even with the differential being applied. The Council determined the differential would only remain in place for one year. In its second year of operation the Council introduced a northem and southern roading rate; the idea being that the costs involved of maintaining the two roading networks was separated and apportioned against the three northern and the two southern wards. The net result of this exercise was a continuation of the status quo in terms of rates levied in the two areas of the district. This was an important decision for ratepayers of the Waimarino and Waiouru wards and for this reason there are a number of councillors who believe now we are one district rates should be levied on the same basis district wide. There are different ways of achieving that objective. One of course

is to increase the southern rate - a move I've strongly resisted along with, at this stage, a majority of councillors. Another alternative is to lower the Northern Roading Rate or attempt a combination of both. In the draft Annual Plan for the 1992/93 financial year the Council is able to reduce the amount of funding required for the northern roading maintenance programme by almost $300,000 whilst still maintaining an appropriate standard. This has been achieved through improved operational performance and through contracting some of the work out. Council has opted therefore to reduce the northern roading rate and leave the southern at its present level. In my view this is the best course of action to take. While there may be some disappointment, even anger, that southern

rates haven't fallen as well, it is far better to opt for this decision than run the risk of having southern rates rise in future. Incidentally, the amount of funding required for roading in the southern ward in the new financial year has increased by $4,000 over the amount required this year. Naturally I am hopeful

ratepayers generally will agree with Council's proposal on this aspect of the Draft Annual Plan. If you don't, now's the time to say so before the plan is set in concrete and the rates struck for the new financial year.

Garrick

Workman

Mayor Ruapehu District Council