Mayor Crosby telling us the 10.6 rate rise will be the last big rate rise, it has nothing to do with him and his council getting on top of the city's financial problems, its because the government is about to put before the house a bill that will stop all councils from raising the rates above the inflation rate, plus 1or 2 percent, however council will have to get ratepayers approval if they wish to have a larger increase for one of their pet projects, with a accurate amount it will cost the rate payers. This may be hard for our council as most of the pet projects are always over budget. Look at the bus shelter, I only hope the government puts in a clause that would make any job that comes in over budget, will be paid for out of the Mayor and Councils' salary (just dreaming) I do hope they have the rates high enough to cover the leaky homes bill problem, it has been on the books for years.
E.K.Mills, Tauranga.