Praise for ‘ratepayer heroes’

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is praising Horowhenua District Council as ‘‘ratepayer heroes’’ for opting on a rare rates decrease.

Councillors decided to scrap a proposed rates increase of 6.9 per cent from its draft Annual Plan in favour of a 1.83 per cent decrease, in response to the economic pain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, at a meeting this month.

New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke said Horowhenua had shown every other council in the country what leadership looked like. ‘‘Despite officials recommending a rate hike, six out of 11 councillors seized their democratic responsibility and put the interests of ratepayers first.’’

The remaining five councillors had preferred a 1.39 per cent increase suggested by officials.

The decrease meant a loss of $700,000 income for the council. It would be achieved by reducing employee costs, interest costs and capital expenditure for projects.

The council would borrow $1 million for asset renewals and Levin landfill funding would reduce by $500,000.

Houlbrooke said the rates reduction meant the council would have to cut employee costs and scale back spending plans, but it was a necessary sacrifice that reflected cut-backs made by households throughout the country.

‘‘Ultimately, this move will make Levin and surrounding areas better off. More money in ratepayers’ pockets means more demand for local goods and services. It’s disgraceful that councillors from the likes of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, in charge of larger balance sheets, are ploughing ahead with higher rates during a literal pandemic. Now that Horowhenua has proven what’s possible, they ought to hang their heads in shame.’’

He was encouraging ratepayers across the country to contact their local councils and tell them what Horowhenua had done.

Cr Wayne Bishop led the push for a decrease and said it was not just about dropping rates, but acknowledging the uncertain times.

There had never been so much talk among ratepayers concerned about a looming increase.

‘‘So you’ve got to give effect to that and show them they’ve been heard.’’