Ratepayers' Newsletter - Palmerston North City Council

Palmerston North City CouncilRatepayers’NewsletterJuly 2011www.pncc.govt.nzPaul Plieger, who is training to compete in triathlons and duathlons with kidsEthan (4), Joshua (5) and Cosette (4) check out dad’s bike before he heads off on a rideImage courtesy of Manawatu Standard06 356 8199vibrant, caring, creative& sustainable city

2The 2011/12 Annual PlanAfter public feedback, the Council has adopted itsAnnual Plan for 2011/12.The Plan follows the direction set in the 10 YearPlan, which was adopted in 2009 after widespreadconsultation, updating the budget where requiredto reflect changed circumstances. It outlines whatactivities the Council proposes to undertake, whatthey are likely to cost and who should pay for them.Copies of the Plan are available from Council’s officeand website.For the 2011/12 year the Council will need to source$68.3m (plus GST) from rates to fund the net cost ofrunning the City. City Council rates on the averagevalue single unit residential property will be $1,903or $36.60 per week; an increase of $74 over last year.$10 of this reflects the increase in the rate of GST from12.5% to 15% on 1 October 2010.Palmerston North is a city where peoplelive because of its easy lifestyle andits many social, economic and leisureopportunities. City GoalFor a list of services/activities that are funded by ourrates view the chart on page 10.Massey University Midwifery graduates in The Square - from left: Tanya Kempthorne, Nicky Hamdi-Pacha andHolly Westcott Image Courtesy of Nicky Hamdi-Pacha

3Basis Of RatesValuation BaseThe Council’s general rates are based on the land value(LV) using values supplied by Quotable Value. TheCity is revalued for rating purposes every three years,the most recent being during 2009. These values willcontinue to be used as the rating base for this year.Differential RatesBecause the Council has recognised the shortcomingsof a land value base for rating, it has adopted a systemof differential rating for its general rate. This meansthe rate-in-the-dollar levied on the land value variesdepending on use. Property is categorised into anumber of groups (eg. single-unit residential, multiunitresidential, commercial/industrial and rural/semiserviced).Those who benefit most from this systemare rural/semi-serviced and residential ratepayerswhose rates are significantly lower than they wouldotherwise be.Fixed Annual ChargesFor many years Council has decided that it is moreequitable for some services to be funded on thebasis of a fixed charge on each rating unit capable ofreceiving the service. Each year the Council funds thefull net cost of operating the water supply, wastewater(sewage) disposal, and rubbish and recycling servicesfrom these charges. The Council also sets a uniformannual general charge as a means of ensuring eachrating unit pays a fair share of the total rates.For this year the following charges apply:T this Year Last Year 1General Charge for all properties $620 $590Water Supply $211 $245Wastewater (Sewage) Disposal 2 $144 $128Rubbish and Recycling $144 $1361 These figures are GST inclusive and assume rates for the first quarter with GST at12.5% and for the remaining quarters at 15%.2 Non-residential rating units with more than three toilets will be charged anadditional charge of $144 for each pan in excess of three.

4Large non-residential water users will be rated forwater on the basis of a fixed charge dependent on thesize of the water connection as well as a charge percubic metre of water consumed.Who Is The Ratepayer?Under the latest legislation, the ratepayer is definedas the owner rather than the occupier of a property.In some limited cases where the lessee occupies theproperty under a long term lease the occupier mayqualify to be considered the ratepayer. If you believeCouncil has incorrectly recorded the name of theratepayer please contact our customer service staff.SAMPLESAMPLESAMPLERates Assessments AndRates InvoicesThe rates assessment contains information aboutthe rates assessed on the property for the full ratingyear. It is provided only once per year and is not anindication of the sum currently due for payment. Therates invoice is the bill showing how much is currentlydue. It shows any payments received up to the dateof printing but if you make any subsequent paymentsthrough automatic bank arrangements or otherwiseyou will need to take these into consideration whendetermining the amount payable as at the final datefor payment.

5Instalment RatingTo assist ratepayers to budget for payment of theirrates, the City operates a system of payment byquarterly instalments.Instalments for 2010/11 are due as follows:Instalment Account to be Last day forNumber Issued by PaymentOne 1 August 2011 26 August 2011Two 1 November 2011 25 November 2011Three 1 February 2012 24 February 2012Four 1 May 2012 25 May 2012Ratepayers who wish to pay the year’s rates in onelump sum can do so provided payment of the total dueis made by 25 November 2011. If this option is chosenany penalty charged by the Council on the unpaid firstinstalment will be automatically waived.A 10% additional charge will be added to any amountof each instalment remaining unpaid after the last dayfor payment shown above. Further additional chargesof 10% will be added to all previous years’ ratesoutstanding on 1 July and 1 January each rating year.Palmerston North is a leading cityin the quest to become environmentallysustainable. City GoalPlanting trees at Pit Park- More than 100 people,most from MasseyUniversity Halls ofResidence, planted600 trees at Pit Park.Students, ChedliyaIshak (left) and LouiseWhite plant their 7thtree Image courtesy ofManawatu Standard

6Payment OptionsYou can pay your rates by any of the following methods:• By “Rates Easypay” - The direct debit system whichdeducts your rates from your nominated bankaccount either weekly, fortnightly, monthly or onthe due date for each instalment. This is the bestway to make sure your rates are paid on time andthat you don’t incur any penalties.• By internet or telephone banking – remember toquote the valuation reference number from yourrates invoice.• By credit card using the internet – a conveniencefee is charged by the Bank for this service.• By regular automatic bank transfer.• By Mail - using the Freepost reusableenvelope provided.• In person at the Council’s Civic AdministrationBuilding, The Square, Palmerston North or theAshhurst Four Square Discounter, 122 CambridgeAvenue, Ashhurst.If you are having difficulties with paying your ratesaccounts or would like more information on paymentmethods, please contact our customer service staffwho will help you devise an acceptable payment plan.

8Rates Remissions andPostponementsThe Council has also adopted a series of policies thatprovide for circumstances in which the Council willconsider applications for remission or postponementof some or all of the rates assessed on a rating unit.Palmerston North City Council isfinancially responsible and residentsare satisfied that they get value formoney from their rates. Council GoalThe main policies relate to the following:• Providing relief from rates to charitableorganisations in certain circumstances where theland is used principally for sporting, recreation orcommunity purposes• Enabling penalties to be remitted in certaincircumstances• Providing restricted relief from rates on landprotected for natural or cultural heritage purposes• Remitting a portion of the wastewater ratesassessed on certain educational establishments• Remitting a portion of the wastewater rates assessedon rating units in exceptional circumstances wherethe number of pans charged is not a fair reflectionof the use made of the Council’s wastewater system• Postponing rates in certain circumstances wherethe owner of a residential property is experiencingextreme financial circumstances.It is the Council’s policy that applications for remissionbe considered annually. It is important to note that allorganisations wishing to be considered for remissionmust re-apply annually. If you think your organisationmight qualify please check with our customerservice staff.

9Names and Postal Addressesheld on the Rating InformationDatabaseLegislation dictates that the names and addressesof all ratepayers are publicly available on the ratinginformation database. However, bulk collection ofnames or postal addresses is not permitted. Everyratepayer has the right to request that the Councilwithholds their information from the public database,but this request must be in writing.Should you wish to have your name and/or postaladdress withheld an application form can be obtainedfrom the Council’s website (www.pncc.govt.nz), byphoning our Customer Service Centre or by emailinginfo@pncc.govt.nz.Please remember to advise the Council if your postaladdress changes.Palmerston North City Councilunderstands the many views ofthe City’s people and those peopleunderstand what the Council isdoing and why. Council GoalEnquiriesShould you have any queries regarding the ratingsystem, your rates assessment, or the paymentarrangements available to you, please contact ourcustomer service staff who are located in the CustomerService Centre on the Square Phone 356 8199.Paddy Clifford, Chief Executive

10What the Council provides & whatit costs the average residentialratepayerAn average residential property with a land value of$136,000 will pay rates of $1,903 per annum or $36.60per week, which will fund the services/activities shownin this graph.- $0.88Net Return from InvestmentsHousing $0.08Cemeteries $0.23Civil Defence $0.23$1.20$1.45Stormwater $1.58Community DevelopmentCouncillor Leadership& Decision MakingRegulatory $1.63$1.73Economic DevelopmentDirection Setting $1.91Wastewater $2.77Arts & Culture $2.77$2.77Rubbish & RecyclingCity Library $3.88Water $4.06Roading & Parking $5.26Parks & Recreation $5.93-1 0 Cost per week ($) 6These Council services compare with (weekly):Telecom Line Charge $11.00Newspaper $6.00Milk (5 x 2L per week) $20.00Sky TV (basic) $12.00

11REST(Rescue EmergencySupport Team) trainingImage courtesy of ShaneBriggs, Rescue Manager,REST (NZ-RT4), PalmerstonNorthIf A Disaster Happened Now,Would You Be Ready?You’ll need to be able to look after yourselffor at least three days and make sure you have enoughfood, water, medicine, torches, batteries etc to do this.See www.getthru.govt.nz or www.pncc.govt.nz formore information.Drinking Water StandardsComplianceMinistry of Health – Public NoticeSome plumbing fittings have the potential to allowminute traces of metals to accumulate in waterstanding in the fittings for several hours. Althoughthe health risk is small, the Ministry of Healthrecommends that you flush a mug full of waterfrom your drinking-water tap each morning beforeuse to remove any metals that may have dissolvedfrom the plumbing fittings. We are recommendingthis simple precaution for all households, includingthose on public and private water supplies.Director-General of Health

06 356 8199 www.pncc.govt.nzCivic Administration Building, Private Bag 11034The Square, Palmerston North 4442Fax: (06) 355 4115info@pncc.govt.nz