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The Ashburton District Council adopted its 2022-23 annual plan on Wednesday, raising its average rates by 9.4%.
Accepting one of Ashburton’s largest rate hikes in more than a decade is a “realistic budget.”
The average price increase of almost 10% was approved by the Ashburton District Council on Wednesday when it adopted its 2022-’23 annual plan.
“We’ve made a very realistic budget,” said councilor John Falloon.
“It will be interesting to see where other territorial authorities are in 15 months’ time when they report on their actual results by the end of June 2023 and where we will be, because I do not think we will have to dive into reserves or anything like that. by coming because we have made a realistic budget. ”
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Mayor Neil Brown stressed that the external pressures of inflation, Covid-19 and supply chain issues “were not our friend in this year’s budget”.
“It’s going to be an interesting year ahead,” Brown said.
“This is our best estimate and I think it is a fairly accurate estimate.
“We will do everything in our power to stick to it and deliver the work program.”
WELL
How are council rates calculated?
Senior Deputy Liz McMillan said the council left no stone unturned during the process.
“The 9.4% looks very high, but we put in the work. We looked at everything, “she said.
Behind the average increase of 9.4% was inflation at 5%, flood recovery, compliance with new drinking water regulations and the completion of the new library and civic center.
Any projects carried over from the 2021-’22 financial year will go before the council in a report for deliberation on the future of those projects.