Rotorua Council earns congratulation from business

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Rotorua Council earns congratulation from business

Rotorua is projecting the lowest rates increases over the next 10 years of all the city councils in the northern region, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) told the Rotorua Council hearings on its Draft Annual Plan on Tuesday this week.

Rotorua has also held rates rises over the past five years second lowest amongst city councils in the north, said Peter Atkinson, EMA’s executive who presented the association’s submission.

“EMA congratulated Rotorua Council for its leadership amongst local authorities,” Mr Atkinson said.

“The proposed special consultative procedure which is to review the rating base is most welcome, and we strongly encourage the council to move quickly after this year’s local government elections to adopt Capital Value rating.

“Rotorua should use the opportunity to drop its business differential which currently charges business $4.20 for every dollar paid by residential ratepayers of the same property value.

EMA represents 270 member businesses and other organizations in the Rotorua City which together employ 4270 staff with an annual payroll of $170 million.

“We recommended Rotorua start charging for water and waste water,” Mr Atkinson said.

“Council should also increase its Uniform Annual General Charges to the maximum of 30 per cent permitted.”

ENDS

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