First step towards new capital value rating

Press, 5 October 1987, Page 34

First step towards new capital value rating

More than 91,000 notices are being posted to Christchurch City ratepayers telling them of the City Council’s switch to capital value rating. The notices tell people what they would have paid in rates this year had the council been using capital value rating. They also tell ratepayers about the 15 per cent of those on the rating list needed to demand a ratepayers* poll on the change. The notices are tiie first step in the council’s change from land value to capital value. The council is required

by law to advise all those on the rating list, and so separate notices are sent where there is more than one owner of a rateable property. The City Treasurer, Mr Robert Lineham, said that ratepayers bad until November 23 to demand a poll on the change. If a vote was needed at a poll only one owner per property would be eligible to vote. “We are telling people in the notice who is the nominee to vote for their property. It is usually the first listed owner.” Provision has been

made in the council budget for $25,000 should a poll be called. Posting notices will cost about the same. The council approved the switch to capital value — combined with a uniform charge ■— at: its August meeting. It will confirm the change at a special council meeting on November 24 if there is no demand for a poll and the system will take effect from April 1, next year. Under the change, 59 per cent of city ratepayers would be better oft . ■ . ,