Council rejects local rate idea

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 482, 20 April 1993, Page 1

Council rejects local rate idea

By a vote of seven to five Ruapehu District councillors rejected a proposal to change the existing rating system to an alternative rating system supporte4 in principle by all five community boards. When they met in Taumarunui last Friday, . councillors had before them an agenda item which asked them to consider an alternative rating system which would give community boards the power to recommend discretionary spending funded by separate rates within the ward concemed instead of the present system which levies a uniform rate throughout the district. The purpose of the alternative separate rating system was that it would allow discretionary spending by community boards of part of the rates revenue so that 'local' projects and services could be developed for the benefit of that community rather than levying the entire district. All five community boards - National Park, Ohura, Taumarunui,

Waimarino and Waiouru supported the alternative rating system in princi- | ple subject to certain conditions such as more I detailed information about where the line would be drawn between a general rate to cover dis-trict-wide 'core' functions and a separate rate for discretionary spending within each ward. The proposed general 'core' rate would include: j civil defence, rural fire, roading, parks and reserves maintenance, public conveniences, cemeteries, street rubbish bins (repairs and maintenance) land-fills, libraries, marketing and district promotions, employment | schemes and all regulatory and democracy functions such as committees, working parties, advocacy etc. The proposed separate rate would include the funding of such things as swimming pools, parks and reserves improvements, unsubsidised roading, halls, street rubbish bins (new), public convenience improvements, district agencies, stormTurn to page 3