Otago Regional 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.
Engage ratepayers, especially targeted rates, so they understand and influence how their funds and reserves are used.
Find efficiencies and rationalise council operations to deliver better value for money and work smarter following significant growth.
Retain Port Otago and land investments, maximising returns while protecting key local assets.
Find efficiencies and rationalise council operations to deliver better value for money and work smarter following significant growth.
Retain Port Otago and land investments, maximising returns while protecting key local assets.
Engage ratepayers, especially targeted rates, so they understand and influence how their funds and reserves are used.
Align rate increases with annual CPI; any increase above this must deliver improved operational benefits and outcomes. No rate cap.
Ensure ORC rates are simple, efficient, equitable, linked to benefit, consistent and meet today's needs while maintaining future affordability.
Pay for what is wanted; if strong environmental management, hazard management and public transport are wanted, pay for them.
Charge higher targeted rates for engineered river control solutions.
Increase rates to fund climate change adaptation initiatives.
Investigate nominal-cost public transport.
Ensure ORC is sufficiently resourced for its important work to avoid the future costs of inadequate action.
Investigate change to the rating system, including how rates are targeted to make a more equitable and progressive system.
Use debt to spread the costs of large capital projects in a way that is fair to present and future generations.
Pass legislation through central government that enables councils to raise funds as necessary using both rates and additional methods.
Review expenditure to ensure best possible value to achieve agreed council objectives.
Ensure that as long as inequality exists between citizens, rates and charges are progressive, falling most on those who can afford to pay.
Implement an additional up front bond payment and regular instalments for consent activities that have an adverse environmental impact.
Increase or implement fees and targeted rates on landfill use across all categories commensurate with environmental impact and food waste.
Introduce a targeted rates levy on residential property which is left unoccupied.
Invest in ORC ownership of transport infrastructure for long-term savings in bus contracts to reduce unnecessary future rates rises.
Reform the rating system to distribute rates more fairly, eg removing uniform annual general charges.
Work with LGNZ and Te Uru Kahika to advocate to central government for better revenue sharing and funding tools.
Engage ratepayers, especially targeted rates, so they understand and influence how their funds and reserves are used.
Find efficiencies and rationalise council operations to deliver better value for money and work smarter following significant growth.
Retain Port Otago and land investments, maximising returns while protecting key local assets.
Find efficiencies and rationalise council operations to deliver better value for money and work smarter following significant growth.
Retain Port Otago and land investments, maximising returns while protecting key local assets.
Engage ratepayers, especially targeted rates, so they understand and influence how their funds and reserves are used.
Align rate increases with annual CPI; any increase above this must deliver improved operational benefits and outcomes. No rate cap.
Ensure ORC rates are simple, efficient, equitable, linked to benefit, consistent and meet today's needs while maintaining future affordability.
Pay for what is wanted; if strong environmental management, hazard management and public transport are wanted, pay for them.
Charge higher targeted rates for engineered river control solutions.
Increase rates to fund climate change adaptation initiatives.
Investigate nominal-cost public transport.
Ensure ORC is sufficiently resourced for its important work to avoid the future costs of inadequate action.
Investigate change to the rating system, including how rates are targeted to make a more equitable and progressive system.
Use debt to spread the costs of large capital projects in a way that is fair to present and future generations.
Pass legislation through central government that enables councils to raise funds as necessary using both rates and additional methods.
Review expenditure to ensure best possible value to achieve agreed council objectives.
Ensure that as long as inequality exists between citizens, rates and charges are progressive, falling most on those who can afford to pay.
Implement an additional up front bond payment and regular instalments for consent activities that have an adverse environmental impact.
Increase or implement fees and targeted rates on landfill use across all categories commensurate with environmental impact and food waste.
Introduce a targeted rates levy on residential property which is left unoccupied.
Invest in ORC ownership of transport infrastructure for long-term savings in bus contracts to reduce unnecessary future rates rises.
Reform the rating system to distribute rates more fairly, eg removing uniform annual general charges.
Work with LGNZ and Te Uru Kahika to advocate to central government for better revenue sharing and funding tools.
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