Waikato District Council this week adopted its 2020/21 Annual Plan with a slightly reduced rates increase when compared to what was originally proposed in the council’s 2018-28 Long Term Plan. The Annual Plan also spread a proposed rent increase for tenants living in the council’s pensioner houses over two years instead of one, and introduced a temporary water rate for properties that receive water but do not currently have a water meter installed.
Overall, the costs and operating budgets that are anticipated for the 2020/21 financial year are in line with the current Long Term Plan, with cost increases and savings largely offsetting each other.
While the effects of Covid-19 are not yet fully understood, a reduction in revenue from consenting and other activities of about 20 per cent has been factored into the 2020/21 Annual Plan budget, but this loss of income has been largely offset by increased rating growth and depreciation being lower than what was budgeted for.
