Rates hikes for Kaipara

Kaipara District Council is proposing to keep its rate increase to 3.9 percent in the next financial year by cutting out further seal extension and reducing the economic development budget.

Residents are being asked for their input on the increase and the services it will finance, as outlined in the draft Long Term Council Community Plan. Submissions on the plan close on April 21.

Mayor Neil Tiller says the plan is Council’s compromise between maintaining essential services and recognising that in a recession there are people hurting out there.

“Council wants to spend its money wisely and in a way that has residents’ support,” he says. “We decide our budgets just like individuals do and we have to make our programmes fit with the dollars available.

“Councillors are very aware that the problem with cutting spending is that gains made over the last few years in improved infrastructure could be lost. When infrastructure deteriorates it can be very expensive to repair, much more expensive than just keeping it maintained.”

Cr Tiller says the draft plan also shows some necessary increases in targeted rates, these include things like water, wastewater and storm water.