I do appreciate Elizabeth Hughes Communications Manager, TCC response to my letter 'Why can TCC not find ways to cut costs?” in the Weekend Sun of 26 November.
However she did not really answer either of my queries.
The rate reduction figures quoted by Elizabeth are now in the past. According to information issued by TCC, rate increases over the next four or five years will still mainly be in double figures. If the new Auckland city has to reduce it's expenditure to limit rate increases to 3.9 percent why not Tauranga?
I am fully aware that by keeping rates down to a sensible and manageable level there are non essential services that will have to be cut or reduced and we will have to do without the 'nice to haves”. However in the current economic situation we all have to tighten our belts.
The second point was that Taupo District Council to reduce expenditure overall are laying off up to 40 staff which will trim $2 million off council budgets. Again this is an aspect that TCC should look at and carry out regular staff audits. This is done regularly in the private sector and many parts of the state sector to keep staff numbers at sensible levels and reduce unnecessary costs.
Roger Bailey, Papamoa Beach.

TCC response:
I apologise to Mr Bailey if i did not answer his questions clearly enough.
My main point was: significant savings have already been made, and continue to be made, in staffing and operational costs. These have been done without ‘reducing levels of service'. If the elected members decide, after consulting with the public, to reduce ‘levels of service', then additional savings would be possible. This is the discussion they are about to have as they do the Annual Plan budgets for next year.
Elizabeth Hughes, Communication Manager.