Zero regional rates increase

A zero general rates rise and a $3.1m funding increase for recreation and resource management are the key features of the Taranaki Regional Council 2020-2021 annual plan.

The plan was adopted at yesterday’s council meeting, with outgoing chief executive Basil Chamberlain commenting there were no surprises in the document in spite of Covid-19 disruptions.

Covid-19 had caused the council to ‘‘tune and trim’’ the plan, which was decided in February, without affecting service levels, he said.

As a result there was no change in general rates, and only ‘‘some trimming’’ to targeted rates, to enable all council programmes to continue.

‘‘It will be business as planned through the following year,’’ he said.

But Chamberlain issued a word of caution as Covid-19 continued that there were ‘‘no free lunches’’ for the coming year and there was a need to be sensitive to what many ratepayers will be going through.

Chairman David MacLeod said the council’s dividend equalisation reserve, established to smooth out sudden rates increases, had been used to implement a zero general rates increase in 2020/2021.

The TRC estimates total operating expenditure for 2020/2021 of $48.19m compared to $45.09m in 2019/2020 – a 6.9 per cent increase.

Total revenue of $47.91m has been estimated, up from $47.20m, or 1.5 per cent, from 2019/2020.

Spending increases include $1.5m recreational funding increase for the Kaitake Trail from Pukeiti to Oakura, and $1.6m increase in resource management including $785,000 to buy plants (later sold) for the riparian planting management scheme.

Funding for predator-free will increase $532,000.

General rates have been held to the previous year’s zero rates increase after estimates were amended and changes made to expenditure.

The council plans to save $118,000 from the staff budget through less training and more virtual meetings as a result of Covid-19.

There will also be reductions in spending in resource investigations ($40,000) and grants to the Willow and Poplar Trust ($20,000), Wild for Taranaki ($70,000), and Ballance environmental awards ($10,000).

The council will also reduce funding to Puke Ariki and South Taranaki museums by $30,000.

In May, an amendment to the estimates resulted in a zero general rates increase after a 3.8 per cent increase was initially planned.

Consultation of the 2020/2021 annual plan was not required as items had already been discussed.