Tauranga City Council has had a credit upgrade from A to A+. That's good news, but let's give thanks to those responsible: It is we as ratepayers, continuing to fund more council borrowing through increasing rates year after year.
Most of us in work and those on fixed incomes are still feeling the effects of the global financial crisis, employment and wage growth is still very weak.
With potential for a rates rise between 6 and 17.9% next year I challenge our councillors to acknowledge the economic reality out there and lead from the front by making a submission to the remuneration authority asking that the money available for their salaries be held at the current figure of $752,643. Elected members can have a say about their pay through a submission.
Central government has taken the lead by doing this and local authorities should do the same.
Steve Morris, Papamoa Beach.