Rates will rise by 2.5 per cent in the Meander Valley after the council unanimously approved the recommendation at its meeting on Tuesday.
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Its budget estimates, long-term financial plan and rates were all set within the same motion.
Councillor Susie Bower said it was a very responsible budget, and that the councillors had set the rates and budget with the 10-year plan in mind. She said this would allow the council to not be in a negative position in the future.
Councillor Frank Nott said he had sat in the public gallery during the rates meeting last year and saw confusion when a rise of 4.6 per cent was passed. After now being elected with the goal of keeping rates low, he congratulated the new council for showing unity.
"We're in a much better position," he said.
"If we look at the 2.5 increase ... the fact that we've been able to keep it one of the lowest of the northern councils and still provide capital expenditure plus services to our municipality is a credit to the council."
IN OTHER NEWS:
New property values will apply to rates from July 1, and property owners will receive a notice of valuation advising of any change to their property value.
The values are used to determine the rates for each property, meaning rates distribution throughout the municipality changes and a property's rates notice may go up more or less than 2.5 percent, depending on the change in valuation.
An increase in the fixed service charge for waste facilities from $52 to $56 has been adopted.
"The costs of waste management are a challenge for all councils, but despite this, the charge for kerbside collection remains unchanged," mayor Wayne Johnston said.
Improvements to roads, bridges and storm water networks, completion of the Westbury Recreation Ground clubroom upgrade, and a new roundabout along Westbury Road at Prospect Vale have been budgeted for.
Councillor Stephanie Cameron was not at the meeting as a result of having a baby last weekend.
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