15 August 2016

One stop-shop to handle payments to local government in Central Otago

Central Otago customers of the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Central Otago District Council (CODC) will soon be able to take advantage of a one-stop shop in Alexandra for making payments to both councils.

ORC chief executive Peter Bodeker and CODC chief executive Leanne Mash said their respective councils were finalising a shared service arrangement under which CODC would provide face-to-face customer service for ORC customers at the district council head office in Alexandra.

As well as receiving ORC payments (including rates) at its Alexandra office, CODC would also receive regional council payments at its Cromwell, Ranfurly, and Roxburgh service centres.

“We anticipate this new arrangement will be up and running by 1 September for the 2016-17 rating period,” Mr Bodeker said.

ORC staff will be providing training and ongoing support for CODC customer service staff as they provide the new service.

“This is an exciting opportunity to provide a one stop shop for our shared ratepayers and show joined up local government in action,” Ms Mash said.

The new Local Government Act requires councils to review existing service delivery and propose improvements, and this small but significant step was part of the Otago response to meeting this requirement, they said.

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