Council sets fees to recover cost of services

Increased costs to deliver user-pay services have driven the 10 per cent increase across most of Waipā District Council’s fees and charges, which come into effect from today.

Fees and charges are reviewed and consulted on annually, to best reflect the cost to provide services to the community. Fees and charges only impact the users of a service such as dog registrations, burial fees and consents.

Following hearings and deliberations on 31 submissions, the figures and some minor amendments to clarify wording were approved by Council’s Finance and Corporate Committee.

Deputy chief executive Ken Morris said council must recover the costs associated with delivering such services.

“A 10 per cent increase for the next year may appear steep, but the average increase across all fees since the last comprehensive review in 2021, has been about two per cent.”

“Inflation is not factored into annual fees and charges adjustments, and this has contributed to a gap between the costs to deliver the service and costs recovered.”

“We appreciate that times are hard, and council is not immune. Interest rates and increasing overheads are also impacting our bottom line.”

Seven submissions were in support and 24 opposed the proposed increases.

“Cemeteries and dogs were of high interest. Staff analysed the feedback and agreed to make some amendments,” Morris said.

The Te Awamutu and Hautapu cemetery interment fees will only increase to reflect the same amount as the burial fees across all Waipā cemeteries.

Since 2021, costs to deliver dog registration and impounding activities have increased by 35 per cent. Council’s revenue and financing policy outlines cost recovery should be between 60 and 70 per cent. Even with the increase, the cost recovery is estimated to be lower, at 52 per cent and will require further consideration next year.

Other updates included wording to traffic management plan activities; to include the utilities code and clarifying a ‘lost book’ fee for libraries.

The next thorough review of fees and charges will be completed alongside the 2025-34 Long Term Plan.

To view the 2024/25 schedule of fees and charges visit waipadc.govt.nz/feesandcharges