District wide rates increase reduced to 2.8%

Franklin District Council has completed its deliberations following the hearing of submissions to the draft Long Term Council Community Plan 2009-19. The combined effect of these decisions will result in a 2.8% increase in the district wide portion of rates for the 2009/10 year.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mayor Mark Ball said; “We were very conscious of the current economic climate and the effect this is having on all sections of our community. We asked the Chief Executive and her Management Team to take a hard look at all spending. As a result of that work, the CEO’s submission suggested a range of savings that Council has adopted. As a Council we are confident we have delivered a prudent budget which is equitable to all sections of our community, while at the same time providing for some of the specific requests made by the rural sector.”

Some of the key decisions made include:

• Pensioner Housing rents – In response to submissions, Council has decided to increase the rent for pensioner flats progressively over a three year timeframe. Rent on a single unit will increase by $11.00 to $97.00 in 2009/10, a further $10 to $107.00 in 2010/11 and a further $10.00 to $117.00 in 2011/2012. This increase will largely be offset by the accommodation supplement that these residents are eligible for.
• Over the River Roading Rate – In response to submissions, this targeted rate will be discontinued immediately. This will result in considerable savings to those properties which previously paid this specific rate.
• Accommodation Building – In response to community submissions, this project has been removed from the Plan.
• Wastewater Funding Policy – In response to submitters the funding policy for this activity was changed back to 100% private good and continues to be fully funded by users.
• Rates Postponement Policy – In response to submissions, the five year write off provision has been reinstated.
• Open Spaces – Budgets to purchase land for future reserves have been reduced by $1.4M.
• Development Contributions – In response to the economic downturn, a new policy allowing developers to partially defer payment of development contributions will be introduced from 1 July for the next two years.