I read in the Weekend Sun that TCC staff are disputing some of the contentions advertised by ‘Voter Empowerment'.
I'm no Chartered Accountant but to me an ‘operating surplus' means an excess of income over expenditure.
However, in this case the surplus obviously doesn't include the $2million p.a. to be paid to Clarkson for the purchase of Baypark. $2 million p.a. for 6 years from 2008!
The dispute over the end of lease date is irrelevant! Under the lease conditions, Council, the owner, was entitled to give 5 years notice to vacate the site. 2008 + 5 = 2013.
So, by 2013 Clarkson, the lessee, could have been required to walk off and leave Baypark to the Council or demolish Baypark and clear the site.
Instead the business oriented among the Council, in much haste, purchased a redundant and commercially un-viable Baypark from Clarkson for 12 million dollars of ratepayer's money!
As for the $3500-4000 Building consent fees, the Lakes sections buyers will be paying at least $6000 plus interest for sewerage connections alone – that is if ‘Growth pays for Growth' applies to them.
Staff's fatuous statement that rates will only increase by 28% , not 32% over the next two years – that's pure arrogance!
Who in this community, worker, retired or beneficiary, can expect a 28% increase in income over the next 2 years?
William Jonkers letter of 27/8/10 says that his rates have doubled since 2004. That's 100% increase in 6 years. His may be an exceptional case.
If this sort of argument is the best that Council staff can defend themselves with, then they'd be better off doing their jobs well and saying nothing!
R. Jordan, Tauranga.