Ohakune Borough sets rates for 1984/85

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 48, 22 May 1984, Page 1

Ohakune Borough sets rates for 1984/85

At last week's Ohakune Borough Council meeting the 1 984/85 rates were struck (see Public Notice). Ohakune's Mayor, in announcing the Estimates, said that the increase in rates varied in percentage terms and it wasn't possible to give a single overall figure that would accurately reflect any individual ratepayers obligation. "What we have established however is that the rate revenue required to operate during the 1984-85 financial year is 9.8% ($3 1 ,424) more than last year ... but the burden will be shared more equably," he said. "Instead of increasing all rates by the same amount some ratepayers will be paying less than others based on the land value of their properties in reverse proportion." "In other words the greater the land value the smaller the increase a

ratepayer will have to pay proportionally whereas those with smaller land value properties will pay a little more in percentage terms." "This means that those ratepayers — usually permanent residents with bigger properties — will not be subsidising the smaller highdensity non-residential chalet and holiday-home owners to the same extent as they have in the past." It must be pointed out that within the Borough the largest- percentage of -properties are valued under $11,000.00, and these properties have been enjoying comparatively cheap rates compared to the higher valued properties. ' Mayor Taylor congratulated members of the Finance and Administration Committee as well as the Town Clerk and his Council staff for their* work in preparing these rates.

The following examples of the effect of variable rate increases based on land values are given below:

Included in these rates are the following charges which apply to all properties: Water (Residential) $30; Water (Commercial) $80; Refuse (Residential) $34; Refuse (Commercial) $58. A major item of expenditure this year is the 'progressive' roading programme which has been planned. At $132,000 (up from $81,000 last year) it includes all roadworks and associated kerbing, channelling and footpaths in fulfillment of the present Council's election promises made last October.

1983/84 1984 85 LV $1,800 $66.70 $191.00 LV $8,500 $272.52 $366.28 LV $11000 $361.67 $431.66 LV $19000 $659.17 $714.86 LV $22500 $771.39 $806.39 LV $27000 $915.67 $924.07