Hastings District Council
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Evaluate and confirm that projects and expenditure from rates are core requirements of local council.
Consider whether the current Development Contributions Policy is restricting council commitment to providing infrastructure in the correct locations.
Review the current staffing level and whether contracting out some services may be a more efficient way to undertake council business.
Ensure that council spends rates like ratepayers spend their own money, carefully, responsibly and with an eye to return on investment.
Push council to focus on doing its core services well, and not overreach into unnecessary spending.
Make sure that public debt is managed well, and not a burden for future generations.
Evaluate and confirm that projects and expenditure from rates are core requirements of local council.
Consider whether the current Development Contributions Policy is restricting council commitment to providing infrastructure in the correct locations.
Review the current staffing level and whether contracting out some services may be a more efficient way to undertake council business.
Ensure that council spends rates like ratepayers spend their own money, carefully, responsibly and with an eye to return on investment.
Push council to focus on doing its core services well, and not overreach into unnecessary spending.
Make sure that public debt is managed well, and not a burden for future generations.
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