Extra meeting on Rating System proposals

Members of the public will next week have a final chance to hear a presentation from the Deputy Mayor and talk to Councillors and staff about proposed changes to the city’s Rating System.

Council is proposing a change from a land value-based rating system to one based on capital value. It is proposed this would be implemented over five years from July 2012. Other proposed changes include rating for water and rubbish services based on capital value, and providing a lower rating differential for commercial properties in the CBD.

An additional information meeting in the north of the city will be held at Generations Church, 79 North City Road, Rototuna, on Monday, 10 October. The meeting runs from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Submission forms can be obtained from Hamilton City Council Garden Place building, Hamilton public libraries, by phoning 959 9056 or downloaded from http://getinvolved.hcc.govt.nz/ratingreview. So far, 1004 submissions have been received.

Chief Executive Barry Harris said Council was aware of the need to engage the community on the proposals, and had ensured the organisation had made information widely available to all ratepayers such as a letter to all properties in the city. The information meetings are another opportunity to find out more.

“These proposals, if adopted, will affect the city’s property owners, and it’s important the community has the chance to glean as much information as possible from our staff about what it may mean,” Mr Harris says.

Members of the public have until 4pm on Wednesday, October 12, to make submissions on the Rating Review. Rating Review Hearing dates are 9-11 November, and 14 and 15 November.