The council's committee of the whole was considering five recommendations which would lead to establishing the new fire district by July 1 next year. All were approved for the council to make a final decision on September 24.
The plan is to amalgamate the Waitaki Rural Fire Authority with those of four other Otago local authorities, the Department of Conservation and major forestry companies.
Retaining existing financial contributions by all those parties involved in the amalgamation would give the new authority an annual budget of about $1.5 million, but get an additional one-off grant of $150,000 for establishment.
Mr Ross said the amalgamation would retain existing staff, rural fire assets and existing funding.
Waitaki would pay an extra transitional cost of $17,608 and an additional operating cost of almost $60,000 in the first year.
The existing cost of about $280,000 already being paid for rural fire would be retained.
Mr Ross believed the new amalgamated authority would help retain costs in the future.
Once approved by all those involved, the plan would be sent to the National Rural Fire Authority to start implementing the amalgamation.
• The cost of camping might remain the same on Waitaki lakes reserves operated by the council, although this year a boat ramp fee has been removed from the season's ticket.
The past two years, the $50 ramp fee was included in the $460 season ticket, but about 90% of campers did not have a boat or used ramps.
For this season, which starts next month, the council's committee of the whole has recommended the camping fee be $410, with the boat ramp fee removed. Campers using boat ramps will have to buy a separate ramp fee ticket.
That will apply to all camping areas from Parsons Rock on Lake Aviemore to Lake Middleton at Ohau and Falstone on Lake Benmore.
Corporate services manager Carolyn Carter said decreasing the fee was not likely to increase camping numbers because traditionally the same campers returned each year.
It also made sense while the council looked at the long-term option of leasing out management of the camps, she said.
The fees come up for final approval at the council's meeting on September 24.
• A lot of work has been done restoring the waterwheel in Old Mill Rd which used to power the Phoenix flour mill in the 1870s, but completing the project might need financial help from the council.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton, who is a member of the trust overseeing the project, said about $4000 was left from $20,000 in grants, which included a $10,000 donation by Dick Pringle to start the project off in 2011.
The steel wheel, which had collapsed from its timber supports into the old race, had been dismantled and was being stored to prevent further rusting. Site works had been started.
Negotiations were being held with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust on moving the project forward and with funding bodies.
It was hoped to have the wheel back in place by the middle of next year, but a small grant from council, expected to be less than $10,000, could be needed to accomplish that, Mr Familton said.
