Council signs off draft Annual Plan

Proposed average district-wide general rate increase of 3.45%

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has adopted its draft 2019/2020 (1 July 2019 - 30 June 2020) Annual Plan and will be holding events district-wide from 23 March to 13 April to gain people's views on the main issues.

Council is proposing an average district-wide general rate increase of 3.45% for 2019/2020 - a reduction of 0.15% from the average of 3.60% forecast in Council's Long term Plan (LTP) 2018-2028.

The 3.45% increase is divided between increased costs of 1.25% for maintaining Council's levels of service and inflation of 2.2%, based on the Local Government Cost Index (LGCI), which includes inflation on construction costs.

Uniform charges for water supply, wastewater and stormwater have increased by 3%, as forecast in the LTP.

Mayor Garry Webber says Council has a planned capital expenditure programme of $42m in the 2019/20 Annual Plan, up from $39m in 2018/19.

"Council continues to forecast strong growth in the 2019/20 year, particularly in Omokoroa with income projected to be $9.6m, up from $8.8m budgeted in 2018/19.

"Council's external borrowing is unchanged from 2018/19 at $120m," says Garry.

Alongside the Annual Plan, Council is consulting on a significant proposal to introduce a user pays Council-contracted kerbside recycling and rubbish collection service, intended to commence in 2021.

Garry says the proposal will apply to approximately 80% of the District and includes a pay-per-pick-up scheme for rubbish.

"We're also proposing a glass, recycling and food waste collection service that will be funded through a targeted rate, charged only to those households where the service is available."

Council's engagement will also include a proposed change to Council's debt management and some minor changes to bylaws that are due for review.

These issues are:

Debt management

• The proposal is to contribute $1m of rates to interest/debt repayment rather than the $2.5m included in the LTP. This proposed reduction reflects Council's lowertrending debt profile (due to increased growth income and the prudent management of the capital programme), while recognising that a certain level of debt is appropriate for 'intergenerational equity' in funding key assets.

Targeted rates

• Introduction of several new targeted rates around community halls, wastewater and water supply activities.

Policies and bylaws

• Early repayment of rates policy
• Traffic and Parking Bylaw
• Trading in Public Places Bylaw
• Freedom Camping Bylaw
• General Bylaw
• Gambling Policies.

Further information on the draft Annual Plan is available on Council's website https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/annual-plans/Pages/2019-2020-Annual-Plan.aspx

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Peter Hennessey

Communications

Western Bay of Plenty District Council

DDI: 07 579 6678

Mobile: 027 210 2370

Email: Peter.Hennessey@westernbay.govt.nz