RATING BILLING AND COLLECTION

UPDATE (April  2009):

This version of the module was published in April 2009.  The changes made have not substantively changed the content of the module.  This is still the same as when the module was first published in August 2007.  Existing hard copies of the previous version need not be discarded and replaced.  Rather they are improvements to the format to improve its usability.  This has included numbering of "hot tips" for ease of reference, and the addition of links to sections of the legislation wherever these are referenced.

Other Material of Interest

LISTSERV:   If you interested in sharing information with other local authority staff about rating issues, you can subscribe to the Rating listserv available through LGOL by sending an email to listserv@listserv.localgovt.co.nz  with the words “subscribe rating” in the message body.  If you are a manager responsible for rating issues you might also be interested in the Finance managers list.  You can subscribe to this by sending an email to listserv@listserv.localgovt.co.nz with the words “subscribe finance” in the message body. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT RATING SEMINARS:  The SOLGM Local government rating seminars are held annually with one seminar in the North Island and another in the South.  The 2009 seminars are scheduled for Manukau on 12 October 2009 - 13 October 2009 and Dunedin on 19 October 2009 - 20 October 2009.  For further information go to http://www.solgm.org.nz/tools/events/list.aspx?SECT=Business_School_Events

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN RATES MANAGEMENT: This qualification is available through the Local government Industry training Organisation.  For further information go to http://www.lgito.org.nz/

RATES REBATES MODULE:  There is a separate module in this programme on Rates Rebates.

SUGGESTIONS: If you know of other sources of information and guidance that are likely to be relevant to users of this module please let us know so we can add them to the list (dmackay@solgm.org.nz )

Contents of the Module

This Module have been developed by a team of specialist practitioners representing local authorities of differing sizes and geographical locations across New Zealand. The content has been reviewed by Audit New Zealand and by independent legal experts.

The information contained within the Modules represent nationally agreed good practice processes, expert advice and identification of legislative obligations across the range of Local Authority rating activities.  The specific topics dealt with in this module are:

1. Rates resolution
2. Annual Rates Assessment
3. Rates Invoicing
4. Rates Collection
5. Objections to RID or rates Record
6. Rates Re-assessment
7. Recovery of Unpaid Fines
8. Information Requested from Rates Records

Download in PDF Format

Thanks to Contributors 

Our thanks to the individuals and local authorities who contributed to the development of this module. These were: 

• Amy Norrish - Greater Wellington
• Bill Watts - Marlborough DC
• Blaise Williams - Western Bay Of Plenty
• Brian Waugh - LINZ
• Chris Ellington - Far North DC
• David Harmer - Greater Wellington
• Diane Calvert - Wellington CC
• Elaine Irvine - North Shore CC
• Garner Doig - Dunedin CC
• Geoff Barnes - Christchurch CC
• Howard Read - North Shore CC
• Ian Young - Grey DC
• John Gibson - Hamilton CC
• John Mackenzie - Waitakere DC
• John McLaren - Rodney DC
• John Sutton - DIA
• John Waisanen - Whangarei DC
• Ken Morris - Taupo DC
• Lex Weir - Dunedin CC
• Lex Verhoeven - Hastings DC
• Maree Harris - Waimakariri DC
• Noeline Moosman - Wanganui DC
• Phil Kerrison - Rodney DC
• Phil McArtney - Waimakariri DC
• Robert Topless - South Taranaki DC
• Shoena McCrossan - North Shore CC
• Steve Taylor - New Plymouth DC
• Steven Ross - Auckland CC
• Sue Pickles - Waikato DC
• Trevor Goudie - Central Otago DC