Rotorua ratepayers are facing an average rate increase of 4.9 per cent, the Rotorua Lakes Council has confirmed.

The message was solidified at a council meeting late last week.

Councillors baulked at the original proposed average increase of 5.1 per cent, signalled in the 2018-2028 LTP.

Executive staff were ordered to take into consideration ratepayers on fixed incomes, recently treated to an increase of under 2 per cent.

While the 4.9 per cent placated councillors, the proposal is unlikely to be received magnanimously in the public domain.

Rotorua ratepayers have until May 17 to proffer their thoughts on the council's proposed 2019-2020 annual plan.

The council has made the place available for public consumption. Feedback is sought particularly on the future of the issue of wastewater services.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick says the plan reflected a continuing commitment to the direction set in the 2018-2028 Long-term Plan.

Most of the annual plan document is information for the public on progress to date against projects and work set out in the LTP, the council says in a statement.

Feedback is sought on a proposal to consider changing how wastewater services are managed and delivered in future. Feedback will provide input into decision-making and any proposed change regarding this would require further consultation, the council says.

'Not much has changed since last year when we adopted the long-term plan and we are continuing with what was planned for the 2019/20 financial year which is year two of the LTP,” says Steve.

'The LTP remains our guiding document, outlining the funding and delivery to progress towards the 2030 vision set with the community, who wanted to see change, progress and a better future for all. That's what we continue to strive for and partnerships have been key to what's been achieved to date.

'So, we've been mindful to not compromise the objectives of our Long-term Plan in the 2019/20 Annual Plan but elected members did ask council staff to see what could be done to lower the rates increase that we had projected in the LTP for this coming year.”

About the 2019/20 Annual Plan (annual budget):

Elected member workshops were held in February and March to help develop the Annual Plan and resulted in a commitment to the direction and delivery of the 2018-28 Long-term Plan that was adopted last June.

The annual plan is the link between the LTP and the annual setting of rates. It details the annual budget and any changes/differences to what is in the LTP.

The 2019/20 financial year, which starts 1 July, is Year 2 of the LTP.

The Annual Plan process is an opportunity to review the progress of delivery of work programmes and projects and affirm the budget for the year.

Elected member workshops concluded that:

• The set direction has not changed – there is commitment to the delivery of the 2018-28 Long-term Plan (LTP);
• Council faces a number of key challenges including sourcing of external funding; ongoing commitment to engagement and partnering; condition of assets (including what we don't know); resource consenting;
• The challenges have impacted on delivery, mainly relating to timing of some of the large capital projects.

Rates:

The average overall rates increase of 4.9 per cent for 2019/20 is the overall average increase including both general and targeted rates.

The increase is split approximately 50/50 between increases in the general rate and targeted rates. Increased targeted rates are predominantly for wastewater (pan charge) and waste management.

The increase in the pan charge will contribute to the operational costs of running the new East Rotoiti/Rotoma wastewater scheme. The change for residential properties is $49.92 (excluding GST) and commercial properties will pay a 'per pan” charge.

The 2019/20 Annual Plan introduces a new sewage targeted rate of $463.84 for East Rotoiti/Rotoma properties connecting to the new wastewater scheme in that area.

There is an increased in the targeted rate for waste management.

There will be different impacts for the various rating groups. The annual plan information/consultation document and information available online provides more detail relating to rates and the various rating groups including samples.

Annual plan timeline

April 11: Information/consultation document approved by Full Council to go out to public.

April 15: Information/consultation document becomes publicly available and public feedback opens.

May 7: World Café-style feedback sessions where people can speak directly to elected members and their feedback will be documented. This will be a facilitated group session from 4pm to 6pm at Rotorua Lakes Council (Council Chamber), Haupapa Street.

May 9: World Café-style feedback sessions where people can speak directly to elected members and their feedback will be documented. This will be a facilitated group session from 4pm to 7pm at Te Aka Mauri on Haupapa Street (in the Discovery Space on the second floor).

May 17: Feedback closes.

June 13: Final Annual Plan recommendations presented to Full Council.

June 27: Adoption of 2019/20 Annual Plan (annual budget).