Grey District residents looking for their rates demands will need to wait another week.
Council’s first rates instalment for the new financial year would usually have been sent out by now, but ratepayers may have noticed it has not yet arrived.
Finance Manager, Mr Neil Engelbrecht is assuring people it’s on its way, but there is a delay.
“Due to a very complex Enhanced Annual Plan (EAP) process and a significant turnaround in finance staff, Council identified an error in the first rates calculation which resulted in a re-adoption of rates later than expected.
“Finalising the EAP and ensuring the rates are set correctly was our main priority and this took longer than expected.”
Council’s new rates have now been adopted and the team is preparing the rates invoice and assessment notice which includes the first quarter instalment details as well as information on all subsequent instalments.
“The first invoice will be sent out next week (from 26 August) with the first instalment due on 20 September. Penalties will be applied 5 business days after the due date,” Mr Engelbrecht said.
“Direct debits are being recalculated and the new direct debit amounts will be applied from next week.
“The second instalment will fall due on 20 November as per the newly adopted payment cycle, so people should make a note of that so they don’t get caught out by the shorter timeframe between the first and second instalments,” Mr Engelbrecht said.
The due date for payments has also been changed to the 20th of the month. The due date for rates instalments are as follows:
- Instalment 1 – 20 September 2024
- Instalment 2 – 20 November 2024
- Instalment 3 – 20 February 2025
- Instalment 4 – 20 May 2025
Council recommends people set up direct debit payments weekly, fortnightly or monthly so the cost is spread across the year and minimises the risk of penalty payments.
Further details can be found at www.greydc.govt.nz/rates including forms to sign up for regular payments.
