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Rates are up for Frankliners in the northern Waikato, but council realises that times are tough.
“Council is acutely aware of how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting our district, now further compounded by rising fuel prices,” Waikato District Council (WDC) mayor Aksel Bech says.
“Communities have clearly asked that we focus on increasing affordability and on delivering excellent services for our communities, while operating under constantly changing local and global influences. Any rates increase will impact households [but] council is working hard to keep this down.”
WDC approved a below inflation general rate increase of 2.8 per cent and a resulting average rate increase of 3.79 per cent including targeted rates at a recent Draft Annual Plan meeting.
Individual rate increases will vary according to the capital values and specific services such as rubbish collection.
Properties connected to water services will incur a $31.50 increase for drinking water and a $110.72 for wastewater for the year – a total fixed charge increase of $142.22. The water cost increases are less than half a previously forecast total, council confirmed.
The general rate will be slightly lower than expected and consulted in the Long Term Plan, dropping from three to 2.8 per cent.
A full outline of WDC’s rates, including changes, is accessible via the council’s website, www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.
