Changes to iSite Operating Hours

Council currently operates the Hokitika isite across both summer and winter periods, with variations in weekend and public holiday hours.

Summer operating hours (October to March) are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Winter operating hours (April to September) are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10.00am to 2.00pm.

This provides a seven-day service during summer and a reduced weekend service during winter.

Option 1: Reduce operating hours to better align with demand and operating costs.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm (year-round)
Winter: Closed Sundays

This represents a 30-minute reduction in weekday hours, a two-hour reduction on Saturdays during summer, and the removal of Sunday opening during winter. This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining core visitor servicing during peak periods. The estimated saving is $32,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.12%.

Option 2: Further reduce operating hours to prioritise cost savings.

Under this option, operating hours would change as follows:

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm
Saturday 10.00am to 2.00pm (year-round)
Winter: Closed Sundays

This represents a 1-hour reduction in weekday hours, a three-hour reduction on Saturdays during summer, and the removal of Sunday opening during winter. This would reduce staffing and operating costs while maintaining core visitor servicing during peak periods. The estimated saving is $52,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.19%.

Option 3: Council continues with the current operating hours

This reflects the existing model, with extended summer weekend hours and year-round weekday coverage to 5.00pm. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 2 is the preferred option. This option improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, and delivers a modest reduction in rates while maintaining a consistent level of access to visitor services.

Library Reserves

Council currently maintains a ringfenced reserve for the Hokitika Library to fund capital expenditure.

This reserve is used to support both capital works to the library building and the renewal of library collections.

The reserve is expected to have a balance of approximately $458,000 at the end of the current financial year.

Under the current approach, funded depreciation of $86,000 per annum is allocated to this reserve to ensure it is
maintained over time.

Forecast expenditure from the reserve for the next financial year is up to $60,000.

Option 1: Do not fund depreciation for the library reserve in the next financial year.

Under this option, no additional funding would be added to the reserve through depreciation. Instead, existing reserves would be drawn down to meet forecast capital expenditure requirements. This reflects the current strength of the reserve and its ability to support planned expenditure in the short term. The estimated saving is $86,000, equating to an overall average decrease in rates of 0.31%.

Option 2: Continue to fund depreciation to the library reserve.

This reflects the current approach, where the reserve is topped up annually to maintain funding for future capital works and renewals. There would be no change to operating costs and no overall change to rates.

Option 1 is the preferred option. This option makes use of existing reserves to meet planned expenditure, reduces short-term cost pressures, and delivers a reduction in rates while maintaining the ability to fund anticipated capital needs.