Fees for LIM reports and property files are being increased by Far North District Council in a bid to address rising operational costs.
The Council says the current user-pays charge covers 53% of the cost of producing property files and 69% for LIM reports.
“This has resulted in a growing reliance on rates income to cover the true cost of providing property files and LIM reports,” Council said.
The new changes will increase the fee for obtaining LIM reports from $319 to $395 and property files from $26 to $33.50. The fee increase will shift the portion paid by the user for both property files and LIM reports to 85%, Council said.
Elected members approved the amendment to the Fees and Charges Schedule 2024/25 at October’s council meeting and these will take effect from 11 November and remain in place for the remainder of the 2024/2025 rating year.
“In making the decision, councillors agreed that the increase is necessary to ensure statutory services remain as close to cost-neutral as possible and do not place additional burdens on ratepayers. This acknowledges the council’s mandate to recover costs for services provided,” Council said.
“The change brings fees charged by Far North District Council to within a similar range charged by many other councils across the country.”
It said fees and charges will be reviewed again for the 2025/26 Annual Plan.