Upper Hutt City 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 new levy for developers building inner city mass housing to fund the infrastructure requirements.
Review fees and charges for council services to lighten the financial load on ratepayers.
Ensure rates are kept below the level of inflation and take into consideration the ratepayers' other financial obligations.
Keep lower rates by prioritising essential services and reducing unnecessary spending.
Enhance council investment transparency by publishing detailed reports.
Implement targeted rates to fund community projects.
Work with the new RMA act to see if any part of the 10-year plan no longer fits the purpose and can bring real rates relief.
Review and reduce the level of rate increases proposed for the first four years of the current LTP as it is unsustainable.
Ensure that any infrastructure levy funds collected from developers are not used for other purposes.
Review current council investments to confirm that they remain appropriate for the economic conditions the city is experiencing.
Ensure transparent and accountable council financial management. Manage rates responsibly to keep them fair and affordable.
Plan budgets carefully to prioritise essential services and invest council funds wisely to benefit the community.
Report financial performance openly to the public. Support initiatives that deliver value for every ratepayer dollar.
Develop new suburbs without costing existing residents for the supply of utilities.
Invest in new enterprises only when there is a clear payoff for the community, not only glamour for a neighbourhood.
Put solar panels on nearly every council building.
Push for more government funding to reduce reliance on local ratepayers.
Ensure rates remain affordable and sustainable as a share of average household income in Upper Hutt.
Attract businesses, diversify the economy and expand the commercial and industrial base so households do not carry the full rates burden.
Shift expenditure to higher-value services and prioritise essentials like transport and water over nice-to-have spending.
Keep rate increases to the absolute minimum while still funding essential programmes.
Minimise or eliminate non-essential projects while finances are tight and review those projects when finances are healthier.
Keep rate increases to the absolute minimum while still funding essential programs.
Minimise or eliminate non-essential projects while finances are tight and review said projects when finances are healthier.
Keep rates affordable.
Borrow sparingly and only to fund assets.
Increase charges based on cost recovery only.
Introduce a new levy for developers building inner city mass housing to fund the infrastructure requirements.
Review fees and charges for council services to lighten the financial load on ratepayers.
Ensure rates are kept below the level of inflation and take into consideration the ratepayers' other financial obligations.
Keep lower rates by prioritising essential services and reducing unnecessary spending.
Enhance council investment transparency by publishing detailed reports.
Implement targeted rates to fund community projects.
Work with the new RMA act to see if any part of the 10-year plan no longer fits the purpose and can bring real rates relief.
Review and reduce the level of rate increases proposed for the first four years of the current LTP as it is unsustainable.
Ensure that any infrastructure levy funds collected from developers are not used for other purposes.
Review current council investments to confirm that they remain appropriate for the economic conditions the city is experiencing.
Ensure transparent and accountable council financial management. Manage rates responsibly to keep them fair and affordable.
Plan budgets carefully to prioritise essential services and invest council funds wisely to benefit the community.
Report financial performance openly to the public. Support initiatives that deliver value for every ratepayer dollar.
Develop new suburbs without costing existing residents for the supply of utilities.
Invest in new enterprises only when there is a clear payoff for the community, not only glamour for a neighbourhood.
Put solar panels on nearly every council building.
Push for more government funding to reduce reliance on local ratepayers.
Ensure rates remain affordable and sustainable as a share of average household income in Upper Hutt.
Attract businesses, diversify the economy and expand the commercial and industrial base so households do not carry the full rates burden.
Shift expenditure to higher-value services and prioritise essentials like transport and water over nice-to-have spending.
Keep rate increases to the absolute minimum while still funding essential programmes.
Minimise or eliminate non-essential projects while finances are tight and review those projects when finances are healthier.
Keep rate increases to the absolute minimum while still funding essential programs.
Minimise or eliminate non-essential projects while finances are tight and review said projects when finances are healthier.
Keep rates affordable.
Borrow sparingly and only to fund assets.
Increase charges based on cost recovery only.
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