Southland 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.
Immediate planning and consultation to start on the impact of Three Waters reform and other planned reform on the business of local government.
Determine the financial impact of the reforms and seek central government funding support so the burden of change is not on our ratepayer.
Work with LGNZ and iwi to advocate for increased central government funding to enable local bodies to carry out legislative requirements.
Commit to reduce rates by fine-tuning expenditure by council.
Investigate our development levies are charges – seek to find a balance between encouraging development and new users meeting the costs.
Rates – ensure we spend every dollar wisely, and locally where possible.
Implement targeted international visitor levies across the district at key tourist sites to help fund and develop infrastructure.
Ensure that every dollar the council spends benefits the ratepayer and is accountable.
Implement a policy to ensure council staff recognise the hard-earned money from the ratepayer and always displays business acumen.
Immediate planning and consultation to start on the impact of Three Waters reform and other planned reform on the business of local government.
Determine the financial impact of the reforms and seek central government funding support so the burden of change is not on our ratepayer.
Work with LGNZ and iwi to advocate for increased central government funding to enable local bodies to carry out legislative requirements.
Commit to reduce rates by fine-tuning expenditure by council.
Investigate our development levies are charges – seek to find a balance between encouraging development and new users meeting the costs.
Rates – ensure we spend every dollar wisely, and locally where possible.
Implement targeted international visitor levies across the district at key tourist sites to help fund and develop infrastructure.
Ensure that every dollar the council spends benefits the ratepayer and is accountable.
Implement a policy to ensure council staff recognise the hard-earned money from the ratepayer and always displays business acumen.
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