Mayor of Southland
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.
Work to transition council away from wasteful infrastructure practises, eg storm water direct to open water is inefficient and polluting.
Challenge reliance on increasing debt to fund infrastructure. Work to manage infrastructure within our community's ability to pay.
Install conservatism in council finances. Rates are already too high. Borrowing to "invest" in the share market is inappropriate.
Advocate strongly for increasing Waka Kotahi's contribution to our roading, so that our rates can be offset by more of the fuel tax take.
Ensure that any policy introduced by government for council to implement comes with appropriate funding, so ratepayers aren't wearing it.
Ensure that there is strong accountability for every cent of ratepayer money spent, and that consultants are only used out of necessity.
Consistently ask: "how will this be better for our people in the future" before adding, changing or removing something from a community.
Investigate new ways of generating additional revenue from existing council assets and operations as alternatives to rates increases.
Start a conversation about the merit, or otherwise of a single territorial authority for Southland and/or increasing shared services.
Commit to reduce rates by fine-tuning expenditure by council.
Revisit the policy regarding development contributions which is currently on hold to allow development.
Continue to seek advice on council spending and revenue gathering through the long term plan process.
Work to transition council away from wasteful infrastructure practises, eg storm water direct to open water is inefficient and polluting.
Challenge reliance on increasing debt to fund infrastructure. Work to manage infrastructure within our community's ability to pay.
Install conservatism in council finances. Rates are already too high. Borrowing to "invest" in the share market is inappropriate.
Advocate strongly for increasing Waka Kotahi's contribution to our roading, so that our rates can be offset by more of the fuel tax take.
Ensure that any policy introduced by government for council to implement comes with appropriate funding, so ratepayers aren't wearing it.
Ensure that there is strong accountability for every cent of ratepayer money spent, and that consultants are only used out of necessity.
Consistently ask: "how will this be better for our people in the future" before adding, changing or removing something from a community.
Investigate new ways of generating additional revenue from existing council assets and operations as alternatives to rates increases.
Start a conversation about the merit, or otherwise of a single territorial authority for Southland and/or increasing shared services.
Commit to reduce rates by fine-tuning expenditure by council.
Revisit the policy regarding development contributions which is currently on hold to allow development.
Continue to seek advice on council spending and revenue gathering through the long term plan process.
Mayor
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