Affordability and fairness were at the fore of Far North district councillors' minds when they adopted their 10-year plan, the council says.
The plan, adopted on June 28 after considering 1188 submissions to the draft plan released in March, had maintained a "no frills" spending programme, but would still see rating revenue rise by 5.86 per cent to meet inflation and increases in external operating costs, spokesman Richard Edmondson said.
Rates would rise, on average, by 4.8 per cent, adding $108 to the average residential rates bill and $188 to the average business owner's bill.
Forest owners and farmers would have faced big rate increases if councillors had introduced a targeted rate and new differential structure, but the average forest and dairy farm owner would now pay an extra $79 and $220 respectively as a result of the decision to delay the introduction of those changes for 12 months.
A decision to fund capital sewerage and water costs on a scheme by scheme basis, as proposed in the draft plan, would mean the average Kaitaia and Kaikohe ratepayer would pay $25 and $14 less this year.
Those connected to the Hihi, Kaeo, Kawakawa, Kohukohu, Rawene and Russell schemes would pay significantly more, average bills rising by between $296 (Hihi) and $563 (Russell).
Deputy Mayor Ann Court, who chaired the deliberations and adoption of the plan, said the council had not moved away from its intention to give the rating system a much-needed overhaul, but wanted to work through issues raised by sector groups hit hardest by the proposed rates before introducing a targeted road rate and new differential structure.
In the meantime, it would part-fund roading activities by introducing a new uniform annual charge of $100 per separately-used part of a property, reducing the funding requirement from the general rate.
Cr Court said councillors decided to bring in a new sewerage and water charging regime this year but had asked staff to reduce sewerage costs proposed for Hihi from $1911 to $918 per assessment by deferring non-urgent capital works.
The long-term plan and more information about council decisions on the draft plan can be found at www.fndc.govt.nz.