Hamilton City 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.
Keep rates low by cutting wasteful projects and focusing on essential services ratepayers rely on.
Review underused council assets and reinvest funds into infrastructure such as roads and water.
Scrutinise every dollar of spending to guarantee maximum value for ratepayers.
Ensure equitable revenue gathering by reviewing thresholds of rates relief schemes to alleviate hardship for those on fixed incomes.
Investigate additional options for alternative revenue to rates through collaboration with other councils and central government.
Prioritise intergenerational equity by balancing sustainable debt with necessary investment for the wellbeing of future generations.
Discuss with central government the possibility of getting GST back on our rates, either giving it to council or not charging it.
Investigate ways to reduce the huge debt burden as the interest is draining city finances and must be reduced where possible.
Keep rates as low as humanly possible as people are hurting due to high rates caused by poor council decisions.
Index future rates rises to interest, the consumer price index and population growth to prevent rates hikes and support growth ambitions.
Introduce an empty home levy on dwellings vacant longer than six months.
Lobby central government to ensure Hamilton retains GST on rates to reinvest in local infrastructure and services.
Advocate for more transparent spending that reflects what residents value and advocate to make it easier to understand the business of council.
Protect essential services while exploring cost savings through the water reform reset.
Support fairer funding rules where growth pays for growth, not everyday ratepayers.
Ensure that fees and charges reflect the true cost of carrying out activities while accounting for the public good that comes from them.
Require council to work with other councils and central government to address the funding issues councils face.
Cap rates increases to inflation except for voter-approved projects or increase satisfaction and efficiency by 20% if cutting by 10%.
Review council spending to cut waste and lower rates pressure while increasing quiet enjoyment of your property.
Share infrastructure costs fairly with central government and banks by championing legislation moves to support Hamilton city to keep more.
Audit council spending line by line to cut waste, trim non-essentials and protect ratepayers from rising costs.
Pay down debt by redirecting funds away from non-essential extras and into the basics: roads, water and waste.
Prioritise spending on core services so ratepayers are not funding extras while the basics fall behind.
Keep rates low by cutting wasteful projects and focusing on essential services ratepayers rely on.
Review underused council assets and reinvest funds into infrastructure such as roads and water.
Scrutinise every dollar of spending to guarantee maximum value for ratepayers.
Ensure equitable revenue gathering by reviewing thresholds of rates relief schemes to alleviate hardship for those on fixed incomes.
Investigate additional options for alternative revenue to rates through collaboration with other councils and central government.
Prioritise intergenerational equity by balancing sustainable debt with necessary investment for the wellbeing of future generations.
Discuss with central government the possibility of getting GST back on our rates, either giving it to council or not charging it.
Investigate ways to reduce the huge debt burden as the interest is draining city finances and must be reduced where possible.
Keep rates as low as humanly possible as people are hurting due to high rates caused by poor council decisions.
Index future rates rises to interest, the consumer price index and population growth to prevent rates hikes and support growth ambitions.
Introduce an empty home levy on dwellings vacant longer than six months.
Lobby central government to ensure Hamilton retains GST on rates to reinvest in local infrastructure and services.
Advocate for more transparent spending that reflects what residents value and advocate to make it easier to understand the business of council.
Protect essential services while exploring cost savings through the water reform reset.
Support fairer funding rules where growth pays for growth, not everyday ratepayers.
Ensure that fees and charges reflect the true cost of carrying out activities while accounting for the public good that comes from them.
Require council to work with other councils and central government to address the funding issues councils face.
Cap rates increases to inflation except for voter-approved projects or increase satisfaction and efficiency by 20% if cutting by 10%.
Review council spending to cut waste and lower rates pressure while increasing quiet enjoyment of your property.
Share infrastructure costs fairly with central government and banks by championing legislation moves to support Hamilton city to keep more.
Audit council spending line by line to cut waste, trim non-essentials and protect ratepayers from rising costs.
Pay down debt by redirecting funds away from non-essential extras and into the basics: roads, water and waste.
Prioritise spending on core services so ratepayers are not funding extras while the basics fall behind.
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