Dunedin ratepayers were granted $1.76 million in rates rebates in the financial year to the end of April, with the vast majority of applicants successful in their applications.
Asked for the figures yesterday, Dunedin City Council financial controller Maree Clarke said 3702 ratepayers had received rebates, with only 134 declined.
By the end of April last year, 3931 had received the rebate, for a total of $1.74 million.
In 2006, the Labour government introduced a $50 million scheme to increase the maximum rebate available for rates relief from $200 to $500.
The income threshold governing eligibility for a rebate also rose, from $7400 to $20,000. Since then, the maximum rebate has increased to $550, and the income threshold from $21,180 to $21,910.
The numbers of people in Dunedin receiving the rebate have stayed about the same since 2006, despite the recession.
Mrs Clarke said the average rebate for Dunedin was $488.
While the number of successful applications had decreased slightly, the value had increased, which she thought was probably to do with the increase in the maximum rebate.
It was also possible some people's investment income had decreased during the recession, and they were entitled to more.
Mrs Clarke said the council was trying to get across the message to ratepayers that while their income may be above the income threshold, depending on their personal circumstances, they may still be eligible for part payment of the rebate.
