Otago Regional 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.
Ensure there is agreement with communities to provide enough money to do the work that needs doing. Requires better communication.
Build balanced budgets that leave reserves for intergenerational benefit projects. Start developing such long-term projects.
Support Port Otago and the financial management that has allowed Otago Regional Council to build reserves and maintain a strong fiscal position.
Advocate that general rate rises are no greater than the rate of inflation.
Challenging staff on proposed rates increases.
Requiring substantive justification of expenditure.
Ensuring the Otago Regional Council assets and investments are safeguarded for future generations.
Ensure that the financial strategy allows council to deliver its strategic priorities.
Otago Regional Council's rates should be tagged to inflation: the need to expand the council's operations has been effected. We must recognise our rates burden.
All council charges require review – especially the processing of consents – to ensure that they are fair and reasonable.
Council has little debt and a sizeable investment portfolio administered by the Port of Otago. It's there to fund environmental projects.
Ensure there is agreement with communities to provide enough money to do the work that needs doing. Requires better communication.
Build balanced budgets that leave reserves for intergenerational benefit projects. Start developing such long-term projects.
Support Port Otago and the financial management that has allowed Otago Regional Council to build reserves and maintain a strong fiscal position.
Advocate that general rate rises are no greater than the rate of inflation.
Challenging staff on proposed rates increases.
Requiring substantive justification of expenditure.
Ensuring the Otago Regional Council assets and investments are safeguarded for future generations.
Ensure that the financial strategy allows council to deliver its strategic priorities.
Otago Regional Council's rates should be tagged to inflation: the need to expand the council's operations has been effected. We must recognise our rates burden.
All council charges require review – especially the processing of consents – to ensure that they are fair and reasonable.
Council has little debt and a sizeable investment portfolio administered by the Port of Otago. It's there to fund environmental projects.
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