Waikato District Council proposed a 13.75% increase in general rates revenue required for the next financial year. 227 submissions on the draft 2024/25 Enhanced Annual Plan were received, with 50 submitters requesting in-person hearings.
The decision will mean
an average annual rate rise of 8.9% across the
city.
Over the last two days, Councillors mulled over
5,690 submissions from the public – the most ever received
on city proposals. These submissions provided feedback on
Council’s 11 specific topics, plus other city
issues.
Following a three-day discussion, Council
instructed staff to prepare a budget based on investing $2.5
billion on capital projects plus $3.7 billion in operating
costs. In addition, Council resolved to
invest:
$55 million over 10 years to provide safe
routes for walking, biking, scooting and skating around the
city.
$3 million to upgrade the Gordonton Road /
Puketaha Road intersection starting in