COUNCIL COMMITTEES PREPARING ESTIMATES FOR CURRENT YEAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 7

COUNCIL COMMITTEES PREPARING ESTIMATES FOR CURRENT YEAR.

The standing committees of the City Council arc now engaged in the pre . paration of their estimates of expen diture for the current year, and it b probable that the Finance Committee will deal with the matter finally within the next month. It is not expected, however, that the estimates will lit submitted to the council for approval until the meeting on June 25, as a considerable amount of detail *rork has yet to be done before the general rate for the current year is decided upon. The Works Committee considered it? estimates last evening, but as the pro posed expenditure was in excess of the amount likely to be available, the mat ter will be further discussed at anothei meeting, when several items will probably be reduced. Reserves Com mittee will also deal with its estimates at an early date. It is understood that they are now ready for submission to the committee.

When all the other committees have gone through their estimates they are referred to the Finance Committee, which ensures that the total proposed expenditure is not in excess of the estimated revenue. The Finance Com mittee then makes a recommendation to the council regarding the general rate to be struck. Last year there was no increase in the general rate, and it is expected that it will remain the same for the current year. The interest rates collected in respect of special loans raised for the carrying out of works such as the extension of t the water supplv system to the outer areas and the relief of unemployment are separate from the general rate.