Next month will see the start of a six month funding and rating system review by the Queenstown Lakes District Council general manager finance and deputy chief executive Stewart Burns said.

The Council undertook a review during the 2008/09 year and committed to a three yearly process.

“A Funding and Rating Review Working Party made up of members of the Finance and Corporate Committee will undertake the review and recommend any changes to the full Council,” Mr Burns said.

The public is invited to address the working party on any rating or funding matter. The review will incorporate: the Financing & Revenue Policy; incidence of fixed charge targeted rates (i.e. how we apply fixed charges to different types of property); general rate differentials (i.e. rural properties); CBD rate differentials (i.e. town centre rates); roading rate differentials and charging for water supply.

Written submissions could also be made to the Council.

“All of these issues will be considered at some point in the review, with existing policy and legislative requirements dealt with first,” he said.

The review did not include the overall level of rates payable, which was decided by full Council as part of the Annual Plan process.

“What it does cover is an analysis of the most appropriate funding tools available to Council and how rates are apportioned to the various categories of ratepayer,” Mr Burns said.

All meeting times are available on the Council website www.qldc.govt.nz and will be publicly notified this week. 

A recommendation would be made to full Council in November, 2011.

ENDS

For further information please contact Stewart Burns 03 441 0499.

By: Jo Blick