Ken Morris
Waipā deputy chief executive Ken Morris discusses part of the Ahu Ake plan with a resident. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Waipā’s rates team sent out more penalty letters for unpaid rates this month than staff can recall, financial accountant Nada Milne told the district council meeting this week.
And the 95 per cent of rates collected is down on previous years which has deputy chief executive Ken Morris concerned.
“It could be a function of the economy,” he said.
The second instalment of rates was due on November 22. The council pinged $299,000 worth of penalties on the overdue ratepayers who owe the council $1.963 million.
The council is still owed $338,000 from 194 property owners for the last financial year ended June 30. Morris said one of the ratepayers owed $30,000 and there were other “quite big and sticky” debtors among the others.
Traditionally Waipā is the “envy” of a lot of councils because of its usually low rate arrears, Morris told councillors.
In her report, Milne said rates of $83.3 million had been set for the year.
The council’s total income after five months (42 per cent) is currently at 36 per cent ($21.225 million) while expenditure of $61.849 million is at 43 per cent.
Building fees are down $562,000 on budget due to slower growth while there is also a decrease of $12.5 million due to the deferral of growth projects.
