Tauranga City Council’s Elected Members have voted to set the next average residential rates increase at 3.9 per cent.
The 3.9 per cent increase is significantly lower than the 7.5 per cent originally proposed in the city’s Long Term Plan, and is the lowest figure proposed in the draft Annual Plan consultation document.
The figure excludes an additional 0.4 per cent increase for glass recycling.
Mayor Greg Brownless said the increase was necessary to help Council meet the challenges of a rapidly growing city.
“Although these challenges are costly, ratepayers have the right to expect the rates increase to be kept at a reasonable level,” he said.
The vote came after a month of public consultation, during which Council received 121 submissions. All of those submissions were reviewed by staff, and provided to Elected Members.
The Annual Plan 2019/20 sets the work programme and budget for the coming year. Final adoption will take place on June 27, when rates will be formally set for the upcoming financial year.