Council’s work is funded from a mix of rates, fees, charges, grants, and investment income. To minimise the cost to ratepayers, Council uses other funding sources where it can such as dividends from Quayside Holdings Limited. In the 2022/23 year, rates are budgeted to contribute a total of 41% ($71 million) of total funding, meaning the other 59% is funded through other sources.
There are two types of rates charged, general rates, which everybody pays, or targeted rates, paid only by specific groups of ratepayers, or a combination of both general rates and targeted rates.
Costs outside of Council’s control, including inflation and operational costs have increased but Council is keeping rates as low as possible while the economy recovers from COVID-19.
Regional Safety and Rescue Services
The Regional Safety and Rescue Services targeted rate was established in 2022 to fund and support the following services: Surf Lifesaving, Coastguard, Land Search and Rescue (LSAR), St Johns, Rescue Helicopter. The total value of the fund for the 2022/23 year is $400,000.
The rate is for each area is different, based on the range of safety and rescue services that are most relevant in each area.
|
|
Surf Life Saving |
Coastguard |
Land Search and Rescue (LSAR) |
St Johns |
Rescue Helicopter |
|
Kawerau |
|
|
x |
|
x |
|
Ōpōtiki |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
Rotorua |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Tauranga |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Western Bay of Plenty |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
Whakatāne |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
Passenger Transport
In 2021/22 Council reviewed the costs for transport services provided throughout the region. As part of the review, certain transport costs have been reclassified from general rate funded, to become district-specific services, which are funded through targeted rates.
There has been a 1% increase for transport services due to increased contract costs for additional security, living wage increases for drivers, free school buses and route improvements. Therefore, for most properties, the total combined rates paid for transport services is similar to previous years.
River Schemes
The increased number and severity of weather incidences in recent years has put increasing pressure on Council's flood protection infrastructure. This has meant rate increases are required to fund maintenance, repairs (smaller fixes, preventive maintenance) and capital works, such as building new stop banks. The detail of works and associated costs is set out in the Rivers and Drainage Asset Management Plan.
Rate increases for specific properties depend on the location of the property and which flood zone it falls into.
Civil Defence
The Civil Defence rate for 2022/23 has increased by 9% (an average of $2.50 per property).
Council has increased expenditure on ensuring our communities are safe and resilient against emergencies such as earthquakes, pandemics, or floods. COVID-19 has put extra strain on emergency services provided and Council needs to ensure future emergencies can be appropriately resourced.
Rotorua air
The Rotorua Air Action Implementation Plan rate for 2022/23 has decreased by 30% ($1.70 per property).
The project for removing particulates from the air in Rotorua is nearing its completion and therefore the cost of the program is reducing leading to a reduced rate.
Rotorua lakes
The Rotorua Lakes rate for 2022/23 has increased by a total of 10% (varies per property depending on its size).