23 November 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Revaluations
Inquiry
Regarding revaluations - It would be great to have objection numbers but was also wondering, if possible, if we could see a spread of where (what suburbs) they came from.
Response
Here is the info as requested plus a bit of further info around the way rates and revaluation works. As advised these are not final numbers because some may still be making their way to us via post. When we have received all objections we can provide final numbers and I'll see what, if any, analysis council does. I don't believe we analyse it in terms of where the most objections come from and things like that - my understanding is that we record valuation numbers, rather than addresses. I can confirm that when we get final numbers.
I may also have an infographic available later on today but I'll send it through if it's ready.
Revaluation objections received to date for 2017 - 358
Revaluation objections received 2014 - 937
Valuations and rates
Council spending and budgets are not determined by valuations but by the amount required to deliver what's planned in any given year, as determined through the annual planning process.
Valuations are used to determine the share you will pay of the revenue required from rates (as determined by the budget) which is calculated as a per $1 of property value.
The rate assessed for every dollar of a property's value is obtained from dividing the total revenue required from rates by the total of all property valuations in the district.
Here's how it works: If the District comprises of 5 properties with capital values of: $1000, $1000, $2000, $2000, $4000, that gives a total worth of $10,000. If Council needs to raise general rates revenue of $2000, the general rate per dollar of property value would be 20c ($2000 divided by $10,000) and the five ratepayers would therefore pay $200, $200, $400, $400 and $800 respectively.
Following a revaluation, the general rate per dollar of property value will change relative to the movement in property values.
General info re valuations
- Current rating legislation requires all Councils to use rating valuations (either land value, capital value or annual value) to collect at least part of any general rates set by the council.
- They are completed by independent valuers appointed by Council via a tendering process and must be completed for the Rotorua district every three years.
- The valuations are audited by the Office of the Valuer-General and must meet the requirements of the Rating Valuations Act 1988, the Rating Valuations Regulations 1998, and the Rating Valuations Rules.
- Rating valuations can be a useful guide for property owners and purchasers to use as a starting point to determine current market value of a property, as they are based on the local property market at a fixed point in time. However, valuations are specifically for rating purposes and are not prepared on the same basis as a private registered valuer's report.
- The rating capital value of a property does not include any chattels, (e.g. carpets, curtains, heat pump, stove, dishwasher and light fittings), stock, crops, machinery, goodwill or plantation trees.
Link to FAQs on Council website: http://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-services/property-and-rates/propertyvaluations/Pages/Valuations.aspx
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Daily Post Christmas appeal
Inquiry
[The Weekender is] doing a Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal each week while it's running and I understand the Rotorua Lakes Council is taking part?
I was wondering if it is possible to get some comments to the following questions from an appropriate person:
- Is this the first year the council has taken part in the appeal? If not, how long has the council been doing it for?
- What is the council doing to contribute to the appeal?
- Why do you think this is a great cause to get behind?
- Why do you encourage others to do the same?
Response
Please attribute to Reade Nikora, Safer Journeys Coordinator, Infrastructure Group
Last year Council contributed to the Salvation Army appeal by having a donation box in Council reception area, where staff and visitors could donate. Council was also one of the collection stops for the fill the bus promotion that was part of the Daily Post appeal and at last year's lighting of the Rotorua inner city Christmas tree, people were encouraged to bring along a can to go towards the appeal.
This year Council has partnered with Rotorua Police to seek donations for Salvation Army hampers to be delivered to Rotorua households and we're encouraging staff to donate non-perishables, toys and toiletries.
At this time of year it's important that others don't miss out. Council promotes and supports community driven appeals that improve the festive time for our residents who may otherwise miss out, especially our tamariki.
We've encouraged staff to take part in giving back.