City estimates point to rates increase

Press, 29 April 1978, Page 4

City estimates point to rates increase

Estimates of the Christ-] church City Council’s electricity, waterworks, airport; and car-parks departments — four of the biggest spenders,; but also the biggest money-j earners — were cJlSideredl by the public utilitfts com-; mittee.

; Over all, $5.4M would be spent by the M.E.D. on capital works, a 32 per cent increase. That would include $600,000 for non-recurring expenses, such as a $300,000 amenities building in Packe Street and land for two dis-, trict sub-stations.

Revenue from the sale of electricity is expected to be $35.3M, including $18.3M from domestic consumers. Also, $576,000 would be transferred to the general rate account for Queen Elizabeth II Park, a yearly ritual to help pay for the sports complex.

Waterworks, with an estimated SI.BM requirement,! may require a rate increase' of about 15.5 per cent, and] water charges set two vearsl ago may be raised to coverl production costs of delivering! water to households and industry.

The basic water charge.; which may be increased from ; 20c per gallon to 30c, is based lon an allowance of 45,0001 gallons each year. An addi-l Itional charge is levied for; j water used in excess of the| I allowance.

■i About SIM would be spent ■ on car-parking, to maintain i buildings. Total receipts from -1 car-parks might be about J sBBo,ooo. The spending figure • for this year would include 115150,000 for off-street facillities in a new city centre iibIrary building.

I Total spending at the airIport would be about $4.4M. I None of the airport's monev |comes from rates. The airfield itself is expected to earn about $1.15M, and the terminal building would earn SI.SM.