Central Otago ratepayers are facing a rates increase of an average of just over 24 percent.
The district's mayor, Tim Cadogan says that's a lot better than what the council had considered, which included a rise of around 40 percent.
He describes the situation as a "train wreck" brought about by the funding system for local government but adds there's nothing the council can do to prevent it.
Cadogan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
