I really like the Taxpayers Union Ratepayers Report as it gives a chance to compare how we are doing alongside other councils across a number of different (mostly financial) criteria.

In the past, these have been broken down really well through the providing of not just our figures but a national average and an average for provincial councils, which is the grouping we fall into.  

Unfortunately, that hasn’t been done this year which is a shame because so much of the context is lost when there is nothing to compare to, but I can see why they haven’t bothered, because it is a lot of work when you do it for the 78 councils in the country.

When you take the regional councils out, Central Otago District Council appears to come in around the top of the lower third of average residential rates. I urge caution though to reading too much into that because while for some, keeping rates down is the be-all-and-end-all, it doesn’t tell the full story.  

For instance, a council could have low rates because it provides poor levels of service, or charges in different ways. For instance, instead of wheelie bins we all pay for, many councils still use rubbish bags which need to be paid for at the shop, and which dogs then tear apart.  

Carterton could be criticised for having the highest rates if just that figure is used, but that level of rates came about after the community agreed that its pools should have no entry fee in order that lower income folk could enjoy the benefits. 

Nothing is as simple as it seems, huh?

If you would like to have a look for yourself, head over to Central Otago District Council – Ratepayers Report.