Heathcote rating changes planned

Press, 13 December 1985, Page 5

Heathcote rating changes planned

Heathcote rates will undergo two changes next year in an effort to counter the effects of an inconsistent increase in valuations.

AU properties will be required to pay a uniform annual charge of $l5O and a differential rating structure wiU be introduced to collect the balance of the money needed by the county council

Industrial properties will meet 23.8 per cent of the general rate demand; commercial properties, 1.2 per cent; rural properties, 15 per cent; and residential properties the remaining 60 per cent The water rate wiU also be on a differential basis. Industrial and commercial properties will pay 12.5 per cent; rural 10 per cent; and residential properties, 77.5 per cent The council’s finance and administration committee yesterday gave approval for steps to be taken to introduce the changes by April 1, 1986.

In a report on rating alternatives, the County Clerk, Mr Pat Cooney, said the capital values of properties had increased an average of 133 per cent Because the values had not risen consistently, owners of residential property would have had to carry a greater proportion of the rate demand than they had previously. At present residential ratepayers meet 75 per cent of the county’s rating needs. The figure would have increased to almost 80 per cent after the revaluation, with an allied reduction in the portions provided by the industrial, commercial and rural ratepayers. Mr Cooney said the introduction of a uniform charge brought more equity to the rating system. A formal special order will probably be presented to the council for approval at its meeting in February. The order might be confirmed by April or May next year.

Mr Cooney said that although the new rating system would apply to rates struck for the 1986-87 financial year, the new levels would probably not take effect until the second rates instalment for the year.

The chairman of the committee, Cr Gil Laurenson, said the changes were made to help smooth out the variations caused by the revaluation.

The $l5O uniform charge, the maximum allowed by law, would not be a charge on top of rates, he said. The, charge would meet abouthalf of the council’s financial needs, the rest would be collected by rates. Examples of effects of the rating change were given committee members. The figures are based on the rates needed by the council this financial year. This year’s rate demand is in brackets.

A vacant residential section in Flinders Road with a 1985 valuation of $lB,OOO would have paid $92.36 ($115.42) but after the change will be charged $210.83.

A residential property in Rollin Street with a $42,000 1985 valuation would have paid $228.70 ($206.97) in rates but will have a rates bill of $304.17 after the change.

A residential property in Centaurus Road with a new valuation of $76,000 would have faced a rate demand of $491.79 ($571.11) but will need to pay $50652 after the change.

A residential property in Heybridge Lane valued at $92,000 would have paid $595.06 ($740.91) but will need to pay only $582.05 when the changes are made. A residential property in Heaton Rhodes . Place valued at $450,000 would have faced a rates bill of $2911.87 ($1605.29) but after the change will need to pay only $2263.24.

A rural property in Horotane Valley valued at $220,000 would have been

required to pay $1193.35 ($1427.56) but will pay $1413.35 after the change. A commercial property on Centaurus Road valued at $400,000 would have paid $258836 ($2994.48) but after the change will face a $2680.41 bilL An industrial property on Port Hills Road with a 1985 value of $618,000 would have paid $3376.89 ($805313) in rates but will face a $4859.30 bill Ferrymead The committee agreed to support a move to fund the Ferrymead Trust on a regional basis. The Canterbury United Council wants to start the regional funding rather than help the trust to obtain rating powers. The united Council has suggested that its constituent councils make a collective commitment to the park run by the trust The total commitment would be $25,000 a year over five years. On a population basis, Heathcote’s share of the $25,000 would be $057. The committee agreed that subject to a sufficient number of constituent councils also agreeing, approval be given to the establishment of the regional grant Water supply A check of water meters in Horotane Valley has so far found 13 of the 40 have not been working properly. Four of the meters were less than five years old while five were older than 15 years. The committee agreed that the defective meters should be replaced. Only property-owners whose meters were more than 10 years old would have to pay for the replacements. Cr Margaret Buchannan also asked council staff to investigate a system where water meters would be owned by the council and leased to property owners.