In my view the three big issues facing the community at these forthcoming Local Body elections is the extreme pressure on future rates, the inability for the council's recent restructure review to materialise; and actually shrink the bureaucracy, and also possible future council amalgamations.
We are currently benefitting from 50-year low interest rates but from here on potentially the only way for interest rates is up, and then we also have the looming Route K debt being added to rates. These on top of the already predicted 9 or 10 per cent rate increase, for the next financial year, and all of a sudden things are potentially looking really bad for city ratepayers.
Also take into account a failed council restructuring that actually resulted in additional staff on the payroll, but still cost us ratepayers millions.
And then down the track there could be enforced amalgamations but do we really want what Auckland now has?
Think carefully in October ratepayers, as we will get exactly what we vote in. But some new faces are required at the council table.

Mike Baker, Bethlehem.