Tasman 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.
Stop expenditure on projects that are not essential or outside council mandate. If not a core council function, does it need to be spent?
Establish rigorous financial review, outsource to proven private providers for strong independent unbiased analysis.
Introduce differential rates to incentivise positive environmental outcomes and protect fixed-income retirees.
Benchmark council rates against other NZ councils.
Evaluate how council debt is managed and whether it is structured for best value.
Investigate options to more fairly apportion rates across all sectors, particularly where forests are used for carbon credits.
Ensure that the short and long-term financial implications are understood for every decision made by the council.
Look to invest in further commercial activities where it can be shown the return on investment will benefit ratepayers in the longer term.
Reduce council debt.
Restrict rates to no more than the rate of income growth.
Ensure that fees and charges are affordable and reasonable.
Effectively manage council's assets and infrastructure within agreed guidelines and reporting protocols.
Regularly review council's investment portfolio and determine appropriateness for the current economic climate.
Consult with ratepayers, on such issues as income streams, expenditure (current and proposed) and operational expenditure.
Stop expenditure on projects that are not essential or outside council mandate. If not a core council function, does it need to be spent?
Establish rigorous financial review, outsource to proven private providers for strong independent unbiased analysis.
Introduce differential rates to incentivise positive environmental outcomes and protect fixed-income retirees.
Benchmark council rates against other NZ councils.
Evaluate how council debt is managed and whether it is structured for best value.
Investigate options to more fairly apportion rates across all sectors, particularly where forests are used for carbon credits.
Ensure that the short and long-term financial implications are understood for every decision made by the council.
Look to invest in further commercial activities where it can be shown the return on investment will benefit ratepayers in the longer term.
Reduce council debt.
Restrict rates to no more than the rate of income growth.
Ensure that fees and charges are affordable and reasonable.
Effectively manage council's assets and infrastructure within agreed guidelines and reporting protocols.
Regularly review council's investment portfolio and determine appropriateness for the current economic climate.
Consult with ratepayers, on such issues as income streams, expenditure (current and proposed) and operational expenditure.
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