Revamped rates notices will help cut costs
Sign up for e-rates and win
Sign up for e-rates and pay by direct debit and you could win $2500
From this week Auckland ratepayers will receive a new and improved rates notice that has more information on how and where rates money is spent by the council on improving services, building infrastructure and development projects.
The notice also includes information specific to local board areas, showing ratepayers tangible council achievements in their own neighbourhoods.
The redesigned notice has been cut to two pages from three. This change and the removal of the returnable envelope will save Auckland Council $140,000 annually.
Sign up and win $2500
There’s also a competition to encourage ratepayers to sign up to receive their rates notice by email (e-rates) and pay by direct debit.
When ratepayers sign up to both, they’ll be automatically entered into a quarterly draw to win $2500. Ratepayers who already receive and pay rates this way are automatically entered into all four draws, which run until May 2017. The prize money for this competition is sponsored by ASB Bank.
The council is also introducing a quarterly update with news that is relevant to ratepayers in an easy to read and appealing format. This newsletter, mailed with the rates notice, replaces the previous separate inserts. This reduces printing costs and provides timely information throughout the year.
What are the benefits of the new rates programme?
- The rates notice has been reduced from three pages to two.
- A quarterly newsletter replaces the separate rates inserts.
- Overall savings achieved of $140,000 per year from the redesigned rates notice and the removal of returnable envelopes.
- Ongoing savings will be achieved through increasing the number of ratepayers who receive their bills electronically and pay by direct debit.
- The new format provides more information on where rates are being spent.
Find out more about e-rates and paying by direct debit