Crucial decisions await at full Council hui

A decision on District rates and Council fees and charges are among the key topics that will be on the table this Thursday at a meeting of the South Waikato District Council in Tokoroa.

The February full Council meeting – which was rescheduled by a week due to unruly behaviour in the Chamber on the original date – will see Elected Members discuss the preparation and consultation options for the 2026-2027 Annual Plan, which includes a decision on rates increases.

Crucially, that decision involves deciding between staying the course with the 8.9% rates increase outlined in the latest Long Term Plan. An increase at this level would mean that the Council will still be able to deliver the existing services without changes in quality.

If the Council were minded to reduce the rates rise, it would need to consider what services will need to be cut or reduced.

The adoption of the fees and charges Council attaches to facilities like community pools and rubbish stations, and services such as dog registrations and compliance fees, is also on the agenda.

South Waikato District Mayor Gary Petley said that with such critical decisions for the District up for debate, it's crucial Elected Members are focused on the job at hand.

"The decisions we make will have an impact on our community regardless of which way the votes play out," Petley said.

"This Council was elected by the community to make decisions on their behalf, and it's absolutely critical now that we are allowed to get on with the democratic process without further unnecessary distraction."

The meeting on Thursday begins at 9.30am at the Council Chamber in Tokoroa and is open to the public. A live stream of the meeting can also be viewed by clicking here.