DATE: |
11 March 2008 |
TITLE: |
Draft Annual
Plan to be Released This Week
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Changes in
direction to sharpen the focus on customer services and improve financial
performance are the keynotes in the Far North District Council's Draft Annual Plan 2008/2009 released for public comment this week.
The plan calls for a range of initiatives designed to bring about operational
cost-savings, to redirect capital to key infrastructural areas such
as roading, water and wastewater and to encourage economic growth.
Changes will be required to the 10-year plan adopted in 2006 to accommodate
a number of the proposed new directions, and the council will be consulting
with the community on a number of these initiatives as part of this
year's Annual Plan process.
Community comment and feedback is being sought on planned changes to
the Development Contributions policy, a proposal to discontinue the
rates discount policy, plans to introduce a new targeted rate on commercial
properties to support economic development initiatives, proposals to
reorganize the customer services available at Kaeo, Rawene and Kawakawa
and plans to convert the Te Ahu Trust to a council controlled organisation.
The council is also seeking informal community feedback on the proposed
capital works programme through to 2016 to establish whether priorities
need to be changed when the Far North Future Plan is reviewed next year,
and has flagged its intention later this year to take a closer look
at rating options, including the possibility of changing from a land
value to a capital value rating system.
The $104 million budget for 2008/2009 includes provision for a $52.5
million capital works programme.
A summary of the draft plan is being circulated to ratepayers this week
and the plan will be open to public submission until 18 April 2008.
Copies of the plan can be viewed at any Far North library, council offices
or service centres. The plan will also available on the council's website
by clicking this link Draft Annual Plan 2008/2009. Hard copies and CD copies are available by contacting
(09) 401 5377 or by emailing success@fndc.govt.nz
For further information please contact:-
Communications Office
Far North District Council
0800 920 029
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Page created/updated: 11 March, 2008
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