Rate wise, we in Western Bay Council are at a cross roads!
Council debt 10 years ago was round $5 million, it is now over $140 million and due to climb much, much higher.
In good times, interest payments would come largely from development fees and charges, but when development almost stops, as it has, then that only leaves rates, or further borrowing. I have been warning of this for many months, without much support until recently.
The other alternative to big rate rises is a drastic cost cutting exercise with Council costs and spending.
Regarding rates, I believe the rate payer turkey has no feathers left to pluck.
In the next few weeks Council will be putting projected figures and policies out for public submissions and I urge people to respond and make their voices heard.
The recent Hybrid indicative rates models (pre public submission) for example give Katikati Town average vise as 9.24% (including extra 21/2 GST) – the highest for a long time. I find this unacceptable.
Remember the old saying, bad things only happened when good people do nothing.
So make an input please.
Norm Mayo,
Katikati Ward Councillor
and KAPT member.