Wards’ rates set to rise 5%

RATEPAYERS in the Teviot Valley and Vincent wards both face increases of at least 5% in their ward rates.

At a meeting of the Teviot Valley Community Board on Thursday, members learned Teviot Valley ratepayers will have an average rates increase of 5.2% plus district and water rates, which are yet to be added.

At a meeting of Vincent Community Board earlier in the week, members were told ratepayers in the ward faced an average rates rise of 5%, also before district and water rates were included.

The final 202223 budgets for the Teviot Valley ward were prepared taking into account the council’s request to keep the Central Otago District Council’s 202122 longterm plan (year 2) budgets relatively unchanged.

When the budgets were first presented, the overall average annual council rates increase was projected be 7.7%, down from 7.8% as adopted for year 2 of the 202131 longterm plan.

Overall, Central Otago District Council rates are still being finalised, but the rise is forecast to be less than 7.7% as first reported.

The final 202223 budgets for the Vincent ward were also drafted based on the council’s request to keep the 202131 longterm plan (year 2) budgets relatively unchanged.

The draft budget was presented to the Vincent Community Board in February and at that time the overall average annual council rates increase was projected to be 7.7%, down from 7.8% as adopted for year 2 of the 202131 longterm plan.

In February, the ward’s average rates increase, excluding districtwide rates and metered water, was projected to be about 5.9%. Since then a few changes had been identified, which had since been corrected, a report to the board this week said.