Auckland 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.
Consider how Auckland Council can further increase non-rates revenue securely, noting currently only around 30% of revenue comes from rates.
Ensure prudent long-term management of the Auckland Future Fund so dividends can be used to invest in community infrastructure and services.
Increase public understanding of how council budgets work, including that they always have to balance, and the trade-offs required.
Ensure existing ratepayers are not subsidising greenfields development by charging sufficient development contributions.
Oppose any increase in the proportion of council income coming from uniform charges and seek to reduce such charges.
Advocate to government to no longer collect GST on rates, which is a tax on a tax, and advocate allowing council to set fines.
Advocate to government to no longer collect GST on rates, which is a tax on a tax, and advocate to allow council to set fines.
Aim at rates rise no more than the inflation rate, prioritise core services and cut wasteful spending and vanity projects.
Keep community facilities affordable by avoiding unnecessary increases in user fees and ensure charges reflect the true cost of service.
Set a firm cap on council borrowing to prevent excessive debt growth and only borrow for projects that have a clear economic return.
Consider how Auckland Council can further increase non-rates revenue securely, noting currently only around 30% of revenue comes from rates.
Ensure prudent long-term management of the Auckland Future Fund so dividends can be used to invest in community infrastructure and services.
Increase public understanding of how council budgets work, including that they always have to balance, and the trade-offs required.
Ensure existing ratepayers are not subsidising greenfields development by charging sufficient development contributions.
Oppose any increase in the proportion of council income coming from uniform charges and seek to reduce such charges.
Advocate to government to no longer collect GST on rates, which is a tax on a tax, and advocate allowing council to set fines.
Advocate to government to no longer collect GST on rates, which is a tax on a tax, and advocate to allow council to set fines.
Aim at rates rise no more than the inflation rate, prioritise core services and cut wasteful spending and vanity projects.
Keep community facilities affordable by avoiding unnecessary increases in user fees and ensure charges reflect the true cost of service.
Set a firm cap on council borrowing to prevent excessive debt growth and only borrow for projects that have a clear economic return.
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