Submission Details

Full Name:
Camilo Ponce Mayer
Business/Organisation (if applicable):
Date Submitted
2024-04-21 12:16:41

Roading

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Reduce our roading renewal programme to cut costs?

Any other comments on roading renewals:

The council needs to keep a closer eye on how we fix our roads and where the money goes. Last year, it seemed like we fixed the same parts of the road over and over, and some of those fixes didn’t really seem necessary — like we were just trying to use up the budget


Walking and cycling improvements

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections and safety improvements?


Town Centre infrastructure

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Prioritise maintenance and renewals and Pride of Place?

Do you have any comments on this?

It would be really good if the council could get the street lights in Morrinsville working and fix/ tidy up the buildings downtown or get the landlords to do that. This way, the businesses have now will want to stay, and Morrinsville might attract new and vibrand businesses too. Then, instead of just passing through, tourists might stop in Morrinsville for lunch and some shopping.


Additional playgrounds

What do you think we should do?

Alternative option: Cut costs further by deferring the Te Aroha playground?


Stage for the Matamata-Piako Civic and Memorial Centre

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Remove this project from our work programme?


Te Aroha Library

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Investigate and deliver a suitable building to continue providing library services in Te Aroha?

Any other comments on Te Aroha Library:

I’d like to encourage the council to look into the most cost-effective ways to continue providing library services to keep costs down.


The services we provide

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Continue to provide all the current services, to mostly the same standard?

Any other comments on this?

I understand the cost of services is going up and we need to keep them running at the same level, but I’d like to encourage the council to look for additional ways to fund these services. Maybe the council could find new income sources or increase the fees and charges (user pays). Raising rates is tough on all of us and our paychecks aren’t growing by 15% every year.


Development Contributions

Do you agree with the proposed Development Contributions Policy?

Yes, I agree

Do you have any comments on this?

I think developers should pay 100% of cost of expanding and contribut to our district’s infrastructure. If not, we might see them pack in as many houses as possible to make big profits, leaving us, the ratepayers, with huge bills for upgrading the infrastructure.


Our Approach to Rates and Debt

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Accept that our rates need a significant increase in the year ahead to manage the significant increase in costs set out in the Consultation Document?

Do you have any comments?

While I understand that the rate increase is necessary to maintain the same level of services, I would like to encourage the council to explore alternative funding methods. Perhaps partnering with neighboring councils to share costs could be beneficial. Additionally, if the central government is enforcing compliance with certain rules and regulations, it may be reasonable for the council to request government funding for the required work. The concern with raising rates is that it places a significant burden on households during a cost of living crisis, especially when our wages are not keeping pace with the increases in rates and interest.


Our Approach to Rates and Debt

What do you think we should do?

Proposed option: Accept that our rates need a significant increase in the year ahead to manage the significant increase in costs set out in the Consultation Document?

Do you have any comments?

While I understand that the rate increase is necessary to maintain the same level of services, I would like to encourage the council to explore alternative funding methods. Perhaps partnering with neighboring councils to share costs could be beneficial. Additionally, if the central government is enforcing compliance with certain rules and regulations, it may be reasonable for the council to request government funding for the required work. The concern with raising rates is that it places a significant burden on households during a cost of living crisis, especially when our wages are not keeping pace with the increases in rates and interest.


Rates Remission and Postponement

Do you agree with the proposed Rates Remission and Postponement Policy?

Yes, I agree


Fees and Charges

Do you agree with the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024/25?

Yes, I agree

Do you have any comments on this?

I believe that fees and charges (user pays) should be increased even further to reduce the costs carried by ratepayers


Revenue and Finance Policy

Do you agree with the proposed Revenue and Financing Policy?

Yes, I agree

Do you have any comments on this?

I would encourage the council to consider further increasing user charges to reduce the financial pressure on ratepayers. Additionally, seeking alternative investment opportunities and support from the government could be beneficial.

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