4.9% rates increase approved for Timaru ratepayers
Ratepayers in the Timaru District face a rates increase of 4.9% after the council approved its annual plan for 2022/23.
The plan, which was approved unanimously and adopted at a council meeting on June 28, outlines all capital investment and operational spending over the 12 months from July 1.
Included in the plan was an almost $80 million investment in essential infrastructure and community facilities.
Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen said the rates rise was kept to the level consulted on as part of the Long Term Plan process in 2021. The overall amount collected through rates will be $62.7m.
Bowen said 2022/23 looks to be another year with significant events for the council to navigate.
He said ‘‘2021/22 was a big year for the Timaru District, characterised by the uncertainty of an ongoing global pandemic and the flow-on effects on the economy, supply chains and service delivery’’.
‘‘As we move into the new financial year, the more recent impacts of international political tensions on the world economy, cost increases and significant proposed legislative changes affecting local government, means that it will continue to be operating in a challenging environment.
‘‘We remain committed to delivering on the objectives we agreed to with the community during the Long Term Plan (LTP) consultation – this includes major infrastructure and community facilities projects, while keeping within agreed financial limits.’’
The council has budgeted $76.3m for capital projects for 2022/23, and $101.7m as the operating budget to run council’s dayto-day activities, he said.
‘‘To do this we are looking at a 4.9% increase in the amount of revenue we collect from rates, as agreed during the Long Term Plan consultation.
‘‘We have been able to achieve this through careful financial planning as well as rescheduling or deferring some capital works projects,’’ he said.
Bowen said the council acknowledged that delivering a large programme in ‘‘globally challenging times’’ is ambitious. However, he said the council considers these challenges to be positive and looks forward to working closely with the community.
‘‘[The] impacts of international political tensions on the world economy, cost increases and significant proposed legislative changes affecting local government, means [the council] will continue to be operating in a challenging environment.’’
Mayor Nigel Bowen