Rates review timeline confirmed

Councillors decided at last week’s Finance Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) when the Buller District Council’s rating system will be reviewed.

The proposed timeline indicates that the rates review will start in November 2022 and will be finalised by June 2023.

Deputy mayor Sharon Roche says: “Councillors received a draft timeline that provides a good base for the newly elected council to move forward.”

With the timeline adopted, the new council will start to engage in the rates review in early November. Following this, councillors will consider different rating system options and decide on a preferred way of how rates are calculated later this year.

Ms Roche says: “Based on councillors’ decision, the rates database used for previous rates reviews will be updated and residents can see the impact the new rating system would have.”

If the recalculation indicates a significant change in rates charged, council will seek feedback from the community on the proposed rating system through a formal consultation process.

Ms Roche says: “This rates review project has been with council for nine-years, the intention of confirming a timeline prior to elections is to provide a way forward for the new council.”

A budget of $50,000 is allocated in the 2022/2023 financial year to undertake the rates review.

ENDS-

For more information please contact:
Deputy Mayor
Sharon Roche
Sharon.Roche@bdc.govt.nz