Otago regional councillors have approved an 18% rates rise, a third straight year of significant rates increases.
The council adopted its 2023-24 annual plan at yesterday’s council meeting, indicating it will spend $114 million in the next financial year, taking $55.8 million in general and targeted rates.
It will be the third year in what has been described as an ambitious long-term plan for the council.
Cr Kate Wilson thanked council staff, particularly interim chief executive Dr Pim Borren, for their work on the plan, and the community for their support during a period of "lofty increases in rates".
Cr Wilson said showing the community the council was making a difference remained a work in progress.
"I have to caution that we have to start delivering things that they [ratepayers] can see on the ground," she said.
Cr Andrew Noone said the council was entering the third year of a 10-year plan that included an "ambitious and lofty jump" in terms of a rates increase and work to ensure the organisation was fit for purpose.
"We were turning a corner, climbing a mountain, whatever you’d like to call it — it’s not over yet, but it’s another significant step to ensure that the organisation is able to deliver not only for governance and staff here, but deliver for the region and what the community demands of the organisation now and into the future — and also deliver on the expectations from central government, as well."
Cr Bryan Scott said the council had wanted to continue its momentum and had significant work ahead of it.
"We’ve landed up with a rates rise that is not insignificant — I’m sure from a community perspective they will be hurting when they see the 18%, but it’s been rationalised on the basis that it’s been previously signalled in the LTP [long-term plan] at 12% plus inflation."
Cr Gary Kelliher said he hoped the council was now "over the hump of sizable increases and what we will see is far more ‘business as usual’ in the upcoming years".
He did not support the increases to fees and charges, which he felt were too high, but "reluctantly" supported the rest.
Cr Michael Laws was the only councillor to vote against adopting the annual plan.
"I am not convinced that we have examined ourselves, or the value of our current spending, nor engaged in a consultation process that genuinely involved those who would be most affected by the decision that is going to be made today," Cr Laws said.
Cr Kevin Malcolm sent apologies.
At yesterday’s meeting the council agreed to a "rating freeze" for the targeted rates for the Taieri flood and drainage schemes.
The council also agreed to support the Dunedin Tracks Network to complete the Wingatui to Waihola through the operational use of and access to council flood bank assets.
Later in the meeting the council agreed to find $30,000 in its $3.9 million environmental implementation budget to fund work by the Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group.
