Timber sales have helped stave off a rates increase for Teviot Valley residents. Draft estimates approved by the Teviot Valley Community Board last week outlined an average ward rate similar to last year's figure - no increase and no decrease.
Central Otago District Council corporate services manager Susan Finlay said that under the long-term plan, the rates rise for the ward was estimated at 5.7% , but costs had been trimmed and more income than expected in some areas meant the average ward rate was unlikely to change much from last year.
At the end of the financial year, the board budget would show an operating surplus of $57,000 rather than the budgeted deficit of $21,000. This was largely due to the proceeds from tree harvesting, with timber sales resulting in $45,000 additional income, she said.
A block of pine trees on reserve land in Ladysmith Rd had been harvested.
Water meter income in the ward was on track for the year and so far, commercial properties connected to council-run water supplies were the only ones being billed.
Meters were still being installed on residential connections in Lake Roxburgh and Roxburgh. . The process would be completed by the end of the 2017-18 financial year and then volumetric charging for residential water would begin in those towns.
Cr Stephen Jeffery said the board had agreed to delay the installation of water meters but was ''up to speed'' on upgrading its drinking water supply in Roxburgh and Lake Roxburgh.
Board member Cliff Parker said he hoped the board had not been ''conned'' into relinquishing its power to make decisions on water issues.
Community boards were canvassed for their views last year on whether funding of water infrastructure should be done over the whole district, and also whether boards should retain the power to make decisions on the topic or hand over that power to the council.
''We were told it [spreading the costs over the district] would save us $300 to $400 in our rates ... what guarantee can you give us ... ''Mrs Finlay said the council was yet to make a decision on the funding model for the district's water services.
The district's three other community boards have already considered draft estimates for the coming year. Cromwell ward ratepayers are facing a 6.6% increase in the ward component of their rates, Maniototo ward ratepayers a 1.8% rise and Vincent ratepayers a decrease of 2.2%.
The draft district-wide rate increase is estimated to be 3.5%.
