Submission Details

Our Approach to Rates and Debt

What do you think we should do?

Alternative option: Borrow money to help cover the high increase for the year ahead?

Do you have any comments?

I don't believe that our rates need to be increased. I think Council needs to take a long, hard look at itself and start cutting out the crap. Who can afford the increases you keep levying???? It's easy to say "we have no choice" ... the reality is, like every household and business in this town or region, you DO! (a) We don't need to be funding spas - charge users more to cope! (b) We don't need playground upgrades or new ones - there's enough green space in this town, and the playground is a very seldom occupied space in the scale of things! (c) Libraries and council offices don't need to be open as often as they are - cut the public hours, and thereby reduce staff. The number of times I have walked into the Matamata centre and staff are standing chatting and not actually working indicates to me there's fat that can be culled. (d) Firth Tower can almost be closed in winter due to lack of visitors in the area during that time period (e) reserves etc can be mowed less often - it's not like they're pristine now! (f) cut out the grants - when times are tough, they're tough for all, including those applying for grants! (g) consider increasing user-pays fees for all services that are maintained - and forget this nonsense about not fining late returns at the library! I don't swim in your pools, yet I am paying for chemicals, staff and a new roof! (h) cull the events hosted by Council - or at least cull the dishing out of tea, coffee, biscuits at every opportunity - absolutely ridiculous! (i) re Te Aroha library - why not find a suitable building and move. Do you really need to have flash new offices? Do you really need an updated meeting space? (j) Shit happens - stop any funding towards the stadium!!!!! This is a BIG no from me! If costs have increased, government or the Ministry of Education can come up with the shortfall! (k) Waitoa - why can't they run water and septic tanks like rural properties? (l) Morrinsville pool - how can you possibly justify $18 million on a pool??????? Please provide documentation! (m) Roading - a very contentious issue. Local roading repairs are shocking and whoever is charging you should be made to repair their work F.O.C. when it fails within months (often weeks) I'd also like to query wages, vehicle usage and more. I would like to request a full set of accounts for each of the last FIVE years please (including a detailed P+L).

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