Media release

Further Council budget savings passed on

Posted On: Thursday, 11 February 2010

Councillors have identified additional savings in the draft 2010/11 Annual Plan, resulting in a further reduction in the proposed average annual rates increase to 3.4%.

These fresh savings identified at a Council meeting yesterday (Wednesday, 10 February) contribute to a 0.45% decrease in the proposed annual increase for existing ratepayers, and a 1.26% reduction from the 4.66% forecast in the 2010/11 LTCCP adopted last year.

A range of small projects were either deferred or deleted, the main changes being the deferral of the O’Neil St upgrade (-$150,00) and delay in the upgrade of the Waikato Stadium scoreboard (-$250,000).

The only additional project was an allocation of $25,000 each year for two years towards beautification in Frankton Village.

Staff had earlier identified $2.2m in savings from existing council budgets.

Mayor Bob Simcock said some tough decisions have to be made about spending, while retaining the high levels of service expected by ratepayers.

“If people seriously want to go further, Council will have to reduce current levels of service.”

There were no specific proposals put forward that would reduce this year’s rate increase below the proposed 3.4%.

The proposed 2010/11 Annual Plan will be released for public consultation from 20 March, 2010.