The rates increase being proposed for the next financial year in the Waitaki District has only risen slightly after the public submissions process.
The council's draft 2013-14 annual plan, which proposed a 3.5% increase in the total rates collected, has now gone through the public submissions process and the council is considering adding some projects. Not all will have an impact on rates, with costs being met from depreciation, loans, reserves or other sources.
If the council approves those, the effect will be minimal, with the rates rise moving from 3.5% to 3.6%.
The council meeting coming up on Tuesday will be the last chance for councillors to make major changes to the annual plan, which will be formally adopted on June 25 to meet legal requirements.
An update on the draft plan from staff for Tuesday's meeting proposes additional expenditure from rates of $53,000. After public submissions, the council will consider adding another $15,000. In this financial year, the council will collect $27,209,000 in rates. If the extra projects are approved, the council will take $28,238,000.
Projects staff want included, and which will be funded from rates, are $38,000 to make up a shortfall in expected revenue from Oamaru Harbour properties and $15,000 to increase enforcement of bylaws covering water schemes.
Projects proposed from submissions which will be paid out of rates are a $2500 increase in the Kurow hall rate and an additional $12,500 grant for Waihemo Wastebusters.
Some other projects are also being considered for inclusion in the plan, but will be funded from other sources.
These include setting aside $30,000 for a new cricket wicket on grounds 2 and 3 at Centennial Park and a further $60,000 seeding money to create first class cricket facilities there. Both projects would be funded from Resource Management Act fund reserves.
It is suggested the same fund should also provide $60,000 to develop a reserve and playground in the Bluestone Heights subdivision.
A further $50,000 to improve infrastructure at Oamaru Harbour from a loan and $25,000 for renewing Oamaru Public Gardens assets from depreciation are proposed.
