Putting more money into community sponsorship and community projects has been suggested for Network Waitaki profits, but most customers want to retain their annual power bill discounts.
That is revealed in more than 1400 public submissions on a five-yearly review of the ownership of the North Otago electricity lines company being carried out by the Waitaki Power Trust.
The trust owns all 14 million shares in Network Waitaki on behalf of consumers. Network Waitaki's profits are used to pay an annual discount to consumers - in the past 10 years totalling almost $10 million.
This year, Network Waitaki paid $2.67 million to 12,157 consumers in the area from Shag Point to the Waitaki River and inland to the Hakataramea Valley and Ohau.
The discount ranged from $179.48 for 10,338 customers - mostly residential - to $2594.26 for two large customers.
Every five years, the trust has to look at the ownership of Network Waitaki, evaluating the various options then calling for public submissions. This year the trust recommended the status quo.
This year's review drew more than 1400 submissions, prompted by a rumour ownership could change.
The trust will hear submissions on June 30 and make a final decision on July 7 at a public meeting.
An overwhelming majority of submissions asked for ownership to remain with the trust so discounts can continue. However, some submitters suggested the discount be reduced and more money go to community sponsorship and projects.
The Otago Chamber of Commerce believed the discount to consumers provided "a short-lived, easily forgotten benefit" which must be delivered annually to retain consumer support.
It said provision should be made for benefits to consumers to be more than just discounts.
"We believe the company can and should increase its funding of community projects to up to 50% of the discount," it said.
Former Waitaki mayor Alan McLay also suggests cutting discounts "drastically" to free up money for community projects.
He proposed a 12% discount for pensioners distributed throughout the year, with the rest going to grants and projects.
Roger Blackburn supported ownership by a community trust which would help major community projects to benefit the community. This could be used to match capital grants from sources outside the district.
Adair Craik also supported a community trust, which would utilise "a large pool of money" to provide community assets.
Michael Ross, emphasising he was making a personal submission and not one as Waitaki District Council chief executive, believed that, without undermining the current ownership structure, the pool for community projects could be increased.
"There is much to be done in this community," he said.
However, other organisations, including the Waitaki Irrigators' Collective Ltd and Lower Waitaki irrigation Company, favoured the status quo.
