In the second quarter of 2010 our KCDC rates impost was $513. In the second quarter of this year it was about $750 including the water charges.
That’s an increase in that six years of 46%.
How much was general inflation in the same six years? According to the Reserve Bank’s inflation calculator, the general Consumer Price Index increase was only 10%.
The inflation rate from the second quarter of last year to the second quarter of this year was 0.4% according to the Reserve Bank — and the KCDC rates increase overall was 4.58%.
What do you think of that, dear reader? Exactly.
KCDC rates increases are scandalous. Around half our rates are used to pay staff wages. Council spending and decision making does not reflect the real world; for example $40 million for town centre upgrades, $1.5 million loan to the Otaki Cleantech—I could fill this page up. Guy Burns candidate for Raumati/Paekakariki ward.
You’re very welcome to write a list of examples of wasteful expenditure by the council!
We completely agree that the amount spent on salaries, particularly for some managers at or near the top is excessive. There is the old saying ‘pay peanuts and you get monkeys’ but it’s hard to believe that people just as conscientious and intelligent couldn’t be obtained for significantly less than some of the salaries being paid now.
Some infrastructure projects that we need will cost significant money- – including a dam on the Waikanae river and the underpass at Elizabeth Street. However, there’s no reason why referenda on specific taxes for specific projects couldn’t be used to get approval for them as is often done in California, for example.