Waikato Regional Council
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Rates and revenue
The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.
Introduce a policy to keep rates rises at or below inflation with no more runaway increases.
Introduce a ban on ratepayer money being used for political lobby group memberships.
Reduce debt by prioritising essential over "nice-to-have" projects.
Refuse to invest rates into programs specially designed to take further capital from ratepayers, such as parking tickets.
Invest in foundations that enable ratepayers to capitalise on, build business and bring growth to their communities.
Bring honesty to the quotation process by eating into profits if projects are over budget or are not completed by due dates.
Ensure good governance by appointing skilled governors if not available in-house and prioritise accountability.
Require honest and robust discussion for efficiency and outsource or employ capable people if council is not competent in a field.
Push back massively against unfunded Central Government activities through LGNZ and directly with party politicians as these are indirect taxes.
Return all surplus back to ratepayers.
Keep rates to or below inflation.
Undertake a deep dive into council expenditure and find where there can be cost savings across the organisation.
Introduce a requirement for developers to include a percentage of renewable energy generation for all new buildings.
Introduce a requirement for new urban subdivisions to include a minimum percentage of permeable surface.
Extend fines for illegal dumping and discharge to include fines for public littering by individuals.
Introduce a policy to keep rates rises at or below inflation with no more runaway increases.
Introduce a ban on ratepayer money being used for political lobby group memberships.
Reduce debt by prioritising essential over "nice-to-have" projects.
Refuse to invest rates into programs specially designed to take further capital from ratepayers, such as parking tickets.
Invest in foundations that enable ratepayers to capitalise on, build business and bring growth to their communities.
Bring honesty to the quotation process by eating into profits if projects are over budget or are not completed by due dates.
Ensure good governance by appointing skilled governors if not available in-house and prioritise accountability.
Require honest and robust discussion for efficiency and outsource or employ capable people if council is not competent in a field.
Push back massively against unfunded Central Government activities through LGNZ and directly with party politicians as these are indirect taxes.
Return all surplus back to ratepayers.
Keep rates to or below inflation.
Undertake a deep dive into council expenditure and find where there can be cost savings across the organisation.
Introduce a requirement for developers to include a percentage of renewable energy generation for all new buildings.
Introduce a requirement for new urban subdivisions to include a minimum percentage of permeable surface.
Extend fines for illegal dumping and discharge to include fines for public littering by individuals.
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