New Plymouth 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.
Explore other income options for council to reduce the burden on the ratepayer.
Reduce debt faster to reduce the amount of dead money being paid in interest.
Reduce rates by pausing the "nice to haves" allowing enough time for a new council to assess the council finances.
Explore commercial use of council-owned property to fund services without raising rates.
Focus housing development where services already exist to reduce costly maintenance of new pipes and roads.
Increase rates revenue by increasing the number of homes in the district.
Focus spending on must-haves rather than nice-to-haves in this current economic climate to keep rates at a sensible level.
Improve reticulation, roads, rubbish and relationships to reduce rates.
Commit to a balanced budget by ensuring today's ratepayers cover services they use through rates and fees, not future borrowing.
Direct future operating surpluses into capital works and faster debt repayment, not reserves, to ensure today's gains reduce tomorrow's costs.
Increase development contributions so growth funds its fair share of infrastructure, preventing unfair rate hikes on existing ratepayers.
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.
Cap rates to CPI to reflect the people's reality, plan accordingly, avoid debt where possible and exist within means, and innovate to reduce fees and charges.
Avoid investing in schemes that increase risk and liabilities and protect long-term investments from asset sales as this helps lower rates.
Take a conservative view over financial management to ensure best value for money is obtained and preserve existing assets.
Make rates sustainable. Council has fantastic facilities, but rates have gone up 37 percent in the last three years.
Manage $400 million in a perpetual investment fund with dividends subsidising rates and maintain council debt at $406 million with a high Moody's credit rating.
Reduce high fees and charges, especially for transfer stations, pools and cemeteries.
Explore other income options for council to reduce the burden on the ratepayer.
Reduce debt faster to reduce the amount of dead money being paid in interest.
Reduce rates by pausing the "nice to haves" allowing enough time for a new council to assess the council finances.
Explore commercial use of council-owned property to fund services without raising rates.
Focus housing development where services already exist to reduce costly maintenance of new pipes and roads.
Increase rates revenue by increasing the number of homes in the district.
Focus spending on must-haves rather than nice-to-haves in this current economic climate to keep rates at a sensible level.
Improve reticulation, roads, rubbish and relationships to reduce rates.
Commit to a balanced budget by ensuring today's ratepayers cover services they use through rates and fees, not future borrowing.
Direct future operating surpluses into capital works and faster debt repayment, not reserves, to ensure today's gains reduce tomorrow's costs.
Increase development contributions so growth funds its fair share of infrastructure, preventing unfair rate hikes on existing ratepayers.
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.
Cap rates to CPI to reflect the people's reality, plan accordingly, avoid debt where possible and exist within means, and innovate to reduce fees and charges.
Avoid investing in schemes that increase risk and liabilities and protect long-term investments from asset sales as this helps lower rates.
Take a conservative view over financial management to ensure best value for money is obtained and preserve existing assets.
Make rates sustainable. Council has fantastic facilities, but rates have gone up 37 percent in the last three years.
Manage $400 million in a perpetual investment fund with dividends subsidising rates and maintain council debt at $406 million with a high Moody's credit rating.
Reduce high fees and charges, especially for transfer stations, pools and cemeteries.
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