Rates, rates and oh rates
We all know the topic and we all know the passions the Rates topic provokes. Well now is the time to put your (Rates) money where your mouth is and have your say on the Auckland Council 2016-2017 Annual Plan (the Council annual Budget).
From Shape Auckland:
Annual Budget 2016/2017
Each year, all councils are required to set out their plans, service levels and budgets for the coming year.
Our 2016/2017 Annual Budget covers the second year of the current Long-term Plan, and contains $1.2 billion of investment in new assets, as well as $3.7 billion to pay for the day-today services the council provides.
The budget will also set the level of rates for 2016/2017.
This year’s Annual Budget consultation will focus on some key rating issues we want your feedback on. They are:
- The Uniform Annual General Charge
- The Interim Transport Levy
- Maori land rates
- Farm and lifestyle rates
We also want your feedback on the local board priorities for your local area.
This is your chance to help guide Auckland’s direction for 2016/2017 so we encourage you to get involved and have your say.
The consultation period has now been extended. You can provide us with feedback between 15 February and 4pm, 24 March 2016
Read the consultation document here:
Auckland Annual Budget 2016/2017 – consultation document (PDF 3MB)
Online Rates Guide
The rates guide allows you to see how potential changes to the budget would affect your rates in 2016/2017.
2016/2017 Annual Budget – Rates Guide
Submit your feedback
Ready to have your say? Fill out the online feedback form.
You can read the consultation document below:
………………………
You have until the end of March to get your feed back in.
Talking Southern Auckland 
For the purposes of this section, the rateable value of the land—
(a)must be—
(i)the annual value of the land; or
(ii)the capital value of the land; or
(iii)the land value of the land; and
Does iii not permit a LVT
This with LGA concerning Auckland or the rest of the Country?
I think rates is covered Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 which is separate to the Local Government Act 2002. I don’t think the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 addresses rates only the Constitutional Structure of the Super City, creation of the CCO’s and the transitional powers & responsibilities and thus I think we still fall under section 13 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 which possibly allows a LVT via taxing the rateability of LV rather than RV.
Might email the Minister
Good idea, because AC doing a LVT could really kickstart development, while punishing speculators, land bankers & people not using land efficiently like inner city carparks & abandoned buildings.
Milton Freeman, Adam Smith, Stigliz & Krugman all support it as a very efficient tax.
Ok also looked at the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010
There were some mentions about rates, however it was mostly regarding moving to a uniform system and limiting massive rates changes. Pretty much AC in the most part works under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.
43 Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 otherwise applies
(1)
Except as modified by sections 41 and 42 of this Act, the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 otherwise applies to rates assessed in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 rating years by the Council.
(2)
Except as modified by sections 38, 41, and 42 of this Act, the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 otherwise applies to rates assessed in the 2012/2013 rating year by the Council.
The only section I saw on the limitation of types of rates was
Section 38
General rate for 2012/2013 financial year must be set using capital value of land
For the 2012/2013 financial year, the Council must set any general rate under section 13 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 using the capital value of land.
Rates is on capital value and as you identified below – the first year they had to use capital value was the 2012/2013 year.
So can’t can’t charge rates on only LV rather than RV?
Can we under the law change rates to a land value tax?
For Auckland I believe that is a no