Horizons 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.
Promote regular review and evaluation of service efficiency and effectiveness, with a view to providing value for money to ratepayers.
Promote active investigation into potential new sources of funding, as alternatives or supplementary to rating mechanisms.
Ensure appropriate and timely review, assessment, setting and collection of rates, in accordance with the Local Government Rating Act 2002.
Be fiscally responsible as recent rate increases of 24% and 30% for businesses over the last two years are unsustainable.
Avoid building a new office block with ratepayers' money.
Assess whether staffing levels are fit for purpose, questioning the relevance of approximately 170 new staff taken on during COVID.
Ensure rates are kept under control while balancing the needs of the community and environment.
Manage council's investments and borrowing to achieve the best possible outcome, whilst ensuring each generation is not burdened unfairly.
Ensure rates are kept under control while balancing the needs of the community and environment.
Manage council's investments and borrowing to achieve the best possible outcome, whilst ensuring each generation is not burdened unfairly.
Shift rates increases to every three years instead of annually, giving residents more stability and time to plan financially.
Remove parking fees in Palmy to boost local business, ease access to the city and make it more welcoming for residents and visitors.
Publish council spending – how much, on what and when – to ensure transparency and build public trust in decision-making.
Promote regular review and evaluation of service efficiency and effectiveness, with a view to providing value for money to ratepayers.
Promote active investigation into potential new sources of funding, as alternatives or supplementary to rating mechanisms.
Ensure appropriate and timely review, assessment, setting and collection of rates, in accordance with the Local Government Rating Act 2002.
Be fiscally responsible as recent rate increases of 24% and 30% for businesses over the last two years are unsustainable.
Avoid building a new office block with ratepayers' money.
Assess whether staffing levels are fit for purpose, questioning the relevance of approximately 170 new staff taken on during COVID.
Ensure rates are kept under control while balancing the needs of the community and environment.
Manage council's investments and borrowing to achieve the best possible outcome, whilst ensuring each generation is not burdened unfairly.
Ensure rates are kept under control while balancing the needs of the community and environment.
Manage council's investments and borrowing to achieve the best possible outcome, whilst ensuring each generation is not burdened unfairly.
Shift rates increases to every three years instead of annually, giving residents more stability and time to plan financially.
Remove parking fees in Palmy to boost local business, ease access to the city and make it more welcoming for residents and visitors.
Publish council spending – how much, on what and when – to ensure transparency and build public trust in decision-making.
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