Rates

Council's main source of revenue is rates. These are levied under the Rating Powers Act and provide Council with the necessary funding to deliver all the services provided in our Annual Plan.

Rating Methods

We collect rating income using the various rating methods listed below. The general rate and community services rate are based on land values whilst separate rates and the uniform annual charge, are based on actual connections/use and/or individual households.

Uniform Annual Charge (Standard dollar amount per assessable property)

Expenditure items included in the uniform charge are those judged to provide an equal benefit to each rateable property within the district. This includes civic, corporate management, libraries, cemeteries, animal control, civil defence and emergency services, Otago Museum, solid waste management, service centres, economic development, Waihola Domain, Kaka Point Foreshore, township financial assistance.

Other general rate revenue is deducted to reduce the charge levied.

Community Services Rates

This rate covers the following direct costs to communities:

Public Conveniences	Parks and Reserves
Sportsgrounds	Rural Storm water
Rural Fire	Swimming Pools
Berm Maintenance	Property � Town Halls, Community Centres
Camping Ground

Of these costs, 75% is charged to the community involved and 25% to the rural sector.

District planning and regulatory services costs are also charged through this rate.

General Rate

The general rate funds the costs of roading and footpaths. It is collected from each separate rating area based on differentials calculated from the 10 year roading asset management plan. The differentials are used to charge the average 10 year cost for a community on an annualised basis.

Separate Rates

There are other separate rates used to collect the costs of providing specific services. These include wheelie bins, water rates, stormwater rates, wastewater rates and loan rates.

Easy ways to pay your rates

Direct Debiting - This is an easy way to pay your rates if you have a bank account. The advantages are:

You can pay either monthly or quarterly
The amount of the installment will be debited to your bank account on the 20th of each month, or the last day for payment
You will receive a rates notice for each installment
You do not have to remember the penalty date
Unlike the automatic payments, there is no need to change your direct debit each year

Should you decide this is the option that best suits you please contact Pauline or Bronwyn on 03 419 0208 and we will send you the appropriate forms.

Telephone banking and Internet payment systems - Most banks operate telephone and Internet payment systems which you may use to pay your rates. They already hold our bank account numbers to enable easy set up for users. It is important that if you own more than one property to set up electronic payments for each of these accounts. (You will need to alter your billing details if you sell your property and purchase another).

Other methods - Please refer to the back of your rates notice for other payment options such as automatic payments, cash or EFTPOS.

Please Note: Credit card payments are not accepted by this Council

Rates installments

Rates are payable by four quarterly instalments during the financial year which runs from July to June.

The payment dates for the current year are shown below.

	Due Date
Instalment 1	Friday, 22 August 2008
Instalment 2	Friday, 21 November 2008
Instalment 3	Friday, 20 February 2009
Instalment 4	Friday, 22 May 2009

For more information on any rating matters, please give us a call on 03 419 0200.

Clutha District Council, PO Box 25, Balclutha