A rates increase of 16.5% is proposed for the Teviot Valley ward.
Ratepayers across the Central Otago District Council area face an average increase of 4.9%, proposed by the council in its draft budgets for its 2020-21 annual plan, but as with the other wards, the bulk of rates increases fall on urban dwellers.
The proposed increases mean Roxburgh residents potentially face a 16% increase on their rates bill from last year.
In Millers Flat that figure is 11%.
The Teviot Valley Community Board approved the increases at a meeting on Monday.
Board chairman Raymond Gunn said residential ratepayers had been hit by a ‘‘double whammy’’ due to increased costs for waste and water and increases in property values.
‘‘We can’t get around it,’’ he said.
‘‘They [rates] are pretty steep throughout the whole district and really it comes down to the cost of water and waste removal.’’
The latter included landfill and recycling with recycling being a key issue.
‘‘Recycling no longer goes to China so we’ve got to deal with it ourselves.’’
Increases in property values were also a factor.
‘‘The board is well aware of the strain on elderly and people on fixed incomes, an increase in their house [value] doesn’t help to pay the bills.’’
The board was the last in the Central Otago District Council area to approve the projected rates increases ahead of consultation in March.
In the Vincent ward, Alexandra residents could pay 13% more. Residents of Clyde and Omakau face a 14% rise.
In the Cromwell ward ratepayers face an 11% increase while in Pisa Moorings that figure is 8%.
In the Maniototo ward, Ranfurly residents face a 15% increase, Naseby residents 13% and Patearoa an 8% increase.
