Relief for ratepayers amid crisis Mayors call for pay freeze for elected positions

WAITAKI ratepayers can breathe a small sigh of relief amid the Covid19 crisis, as the Waitaki District Council acts to assist those under financial pressure.

In a letter delivered to the district’s ratepayers, accompanied by rates assessments due on May 25, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher has outlined how the council will go about easing its expectations on ratepayers.

Penalties if rates due at the end of May are not paid have been waived and people have been given the option of delaying the full payment until August 25.

Mr Kircher also confirmed there would be no rates increase for the 202021 financial year, which starts on July 1, as indicated last month when the council pledged to work towards a zero rates increase.

However, in the letter he said there ‘‘may be some minor variations on individual rates accounts due to different activities happening in each area’’, but the total rates take would be the same as in 201920, when $32.115 million was collected.

Finally, the council was ‘‘looking into other postponement and remissions options’’ for people who were experiencing ‘‘longerterm financial difficulties’’ due to Covid19.

Mr Kircher said the expectation was people should pay their rates ‘‘whenever possible’’ so the council could continue to provide essential infrastructure and support services.

‘‘Please do not just stop paying your rates or cancel your direct debit. If rates are not paid then our recovery will be slower, more painful and more expensive next year. If you are finding paying rates a struggle, please contact us so we know what you are facing and we will work with you to come to an arrangement that works for everybody.’’

More information can be found on the council’s website.

SOUTHLAND leaders have called for the Remuneration Authority to put a freeze on elected representatives’ pay for the upcoming financial year in response to Covid19.

In a joint statement, Mayors Sir Tim Shadbolt (Invercargill), Gary Tong (Southland), Tracey Hicks (Gore) and Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell acknowledged the variety of different ways elected members were involved in community organisations.

They said that involvement had never been more evident than now.

The Gore District Council also announced it would set up a fund to help local organisations dealing with the effects of Covid19.

Mayor Tracy Hicks said councillors and staff would be able to contribute to the fund anonymously.

‘‘We know there are many in our community who will bear the brunt of what Covid19 has done, and will continue to do, to our economy,’’ he said.

The account would be open for six months, after which it would be closed and the money distributed to local groups.