Again, thanks to all who contributed to the Annual Plan Budget process. The 2017/18 budget has been confirmed today and key points which may interest you are as follows;
Region wide impacts:
1. 2.5% rates rise ( lowest ward wide rise for us since amalgamation)
2. Increase in Uniform Annual General Charge to $404 ( highest for us since amalgamation and the higher this is the lower our rates are, so it’s a positive )
3. Another $200 million for infrastructure
4. Targeted rate for accommodation providers to share the cost of visitor promotion with those who benefit the most
Orakei Ward impacts:
1.Funding to Maunga Authority for Mt Hobson $197,014This is the first budget which clearly identifiesfunding specifically for Mt Hobson ( Ohinerau) It’s for improving pedestrian access, repairs and replacement of signage, planting and vegetation control, and pest control
2.The Orakei Local Boardbudget was scheduled to be just over 2 million as per the LTP budget ( $2.189 million to be specific). I am pleased to advise this has been refreshed and confirmed to just over 7 million ( $7.074 million ) An increase of just under 5 million ( $4.885 million ).