Ruapehu District Council
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Create a fairer rates policy that does not penalise homeowners who rent out the sleepout occasionally and impose a fair levy on Airbnb renters.
Discount fees and charges for Gold Card and Community Service card holders and keep council debt at manageable levels.
Improve accuracy in project cost forecasting to prevent unexpected overspends and protect ratepayer funds.
Limit the average rates rise to no more than 9% by tightening budgets and avoiding unnecessary spending.
Publish clear rebate and hardship information so ratepayers in financial difficulty know their support options.
Strengthen financial management by ensuring transparency, prudent budgeting and clear reporting across all council spending.
Monitor council debt to maintain affordability, protect future budgets and ensure borrowing supports essential infrastructure only.
Review fees and charges regularly to ensure fairness, affordability and alignment with actual service delivery costs.
Scrutinise council financial reports against budget on a monthly basis to ensure alignment with long-term plan expected outcomes.
Seek investment partnership opportunities for council to develop external revenue streams with good returns to reduce council debt.
Review council operations to seek cost reductions in order to hold rates at the lowest possible level while maintaining essential services.
Create a fairer rates policy that does not penalise homeowners who rent out the sleepout occasionally and impose a fair levy on Airbnb renters.
Discount fees and charges for Gold Card and Community Service card holders and keep council debt at manageable levels.
Improve accuracy in project cost forecasting to prevent unexpected overspends and protect ratepayer funds.
Limit the average rates rise to no more than 9% by tightening budgets and avoiding unnecessary spending.
Publish clear rebate and hardship information so ratepayers in financial difficulty know their support options.
Strengthen financial management by ensuring transparency, prudent budgeting and clear reporting across all council spending.
Monitor council debt to maintain affordability, protect future budgets and ensure borrowing supports essential infrastructure only.
Review fees and charges regularly to ensure fairness, affordability and alignment with actual service delivery costs.
Scrutinise council financial reports against budget on a monthly basis to ensure alignment with long-term plan expected outcomes.
Seek investment partnership opportunities for council to develop external revenue streams with good returns to reduce council debt.
Review council operations to seek cost reductions in order to hold rates at the lowest possible level while maintaining essential services.
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