The average Central Otago rates rise had been trimmed back to 4.5% by the time the rates were struck this week.
The average rise was 5.2% when the draft annual plan was released but cost savings through a new water services maintenance contract in June had an impact. Fulton Hogan won the contract with a tender of $1.2 million. The contract had been held by Delta Utilities for the past decade.
Central Otago District Council corporate services manager Susan Finlay said the rates rise would vary depending on the value and ward of a property.
''It's ... not a bad result,'' Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said.
