The wage bill at Tauranga City Council has nearly doubled in the seven years from 2004, from $19.5 million to $35,990,000.
Of this amount somewhere around 40-45 per cent is ratepayer funded, Tauranga City Councillor Bill Faulkner says in his Weekend Sun column Faulkner's Corner today.
Council employees now number 506 full time equivalent employees.
The average income is $69,800, with 186 FTE receiving up to $49,999, 243 FTE receiving $50,000-99,999. In the upper bureaucratic levels 57 FTEs receive $100,000-150,000 and 16, including CEO, receive over $150,000. Former CEO Stephen Town received $400,000.
Former deputy CEO Christine Jones is acting CEO until a permanent replacement is found to fill the position. The new CEO is expected to be announced in the next month or so.
Staff numbers have increased over the years with 32 being fixed term for a specific project, 15 with building compliance and inspection. Other activities like the motor camp, cemetery and Historic Village are being brought back in-house in recent years, says Bill.
The growth in some departments like wastewater, stormwater and water, reflect increased levels of service in activities like the three waters, 17 new FTE since 2004/05 resulted in a total of 124.1 new FTE.
"With the release of the city council's annual plan it is timely for ratepayers to consider the plan and give the council some feedback."
"Does council instruct the bureaucrats to cut levels of service? Do they increase capital expenditure to progress services and amenities?"
'Submissions need to be realistic and in my view it's unhelpful to demand this or that in general terms without being specific,” says Bill.
'For instance you might say you don't mow parks and reserves so often, but you will accept that that may render the parks non-people-friendly.”
Acting CEO Christine Jones was in a meeting this morning and unable to be contacted.
32 comments
THE COMMENTS ARE OBVIOUS
Posted on 11-03-2011 10:33 | By The Master
What do they all do ? "FTE" = full time equivalents ? but for example the libraries have 91 (63 FTE) so the real number of TCC staff is likely in the range of 600-700 perhaps more, then add on the CCO's like Baypark, Pools and we have a Juggernaut that is out of control in every respect. Folks ... can you see a reason why your rates are "out of control"?
PROVEN LEADERSHIP
Posted on 11-03-2011 10:38 | By The Master
We now see that the draft plan shos over 12% rate increase, where is the 6-8% stated by the Mayor on 17/9/2010 ? was that statement made all hogwash or just a plan to try and make the masses happy on that important day?
How Many mangaers to Manager Managers
Posted on 11-03-2011 10:39 | By tabatha
I have heard that there are now managers to manager managers and there is a time to prune a little bit. The question needs to be asked of every position what is this job really entail and can two people do the job of three. In the day when Council did everything, that is road repairs, water, sewage, parks etc I wonder how many more there were. Those days saw great efficient use of man/woman power but now it seems council have a manager to tell another manager about what needs to be done. Please elected councillors have a good look at what pruning can be done.
RATE STRIKE
Posted on 11-03-2011 12:45 | By SpeakUp
That's the ONLY way to tell these parasitic bureaucrats that their exploitation is UNSUSTAINABLE! But then again, look at the majority of Tauranga voting sheeple. They deserve to be pilfered. "A nation of sheep will be governed by wolves." ---Edward R. Murrow---
...also...
Posted on 11-03-2011 13:05 | By RawPrawn
Why is it that, with all these employees, whenever anything actually needs to be done it is often farmed out to consultants?? A case in point is the recent urgent work on the 'historic' aspen tree, where a private arborist was consulted when TCC employs their own. Were they implying their own staff are incompetent??
Staff Audit
Posted on 11-03-2011 13:18 | By Jitter
A number of ratepayers have been calling for a regular independant audit of TCC staff to be established, perhaps every three years. I fully support this. Any self respecting quasi government or business organisation of this size would already have such an audit in place already. The Mayor and councillors seem loathe to instruct the CEO to organise and establish such an audit. Arguments against such an audit from councillors over the past 3 or 4 years have been - *"We only employ the CEO". That is exactly the point. Instruct the CEO to get off his/her backside and institute an audit of staff. * "Our staff numbers are not as great as other cities of a similar size". What the hell has that got to do with it? These "other" cities must be grossly overstaffed with council employees. * "We may lose good staff when they hear that there is going to be an audit". That is always the case with the first audit and is a chance that you have to take. However on the other hand you are more likely to lose those people who have been sitting in a job and producing bugger all but have been feathering their nest and are worried about being found out. They will be no loss as it will be found out after they have gone that they have been producing very little.. *"People doing council management/staff audits would have no knowledge of how local government operate !!" What absolute crap. Local government should be operating on similar lines to any other large corporate business. * "Staff may refuse to cooperate". If so they can be given two options. Cooperate or be shown the door. *"The audit may show more staff are required". That is a risk that has to be taken. In my 40+ plus years in the business world I have never seen this happen. Staff may however be reallocated to another area. The first audit will be the most traumatic for staff. The first major audit I was involved in saw one complete level of management removed plus numerous postions right through the organisation. The removal of these people was done gradually although most made the decision to get out straight away.
Mischevious reporting
Posted on 11-03-2011 14:52 | By MCCentre
The reporting here is bereft of comparison and has used the age old strategy of scaring the plebs with big numbers. I get no sense of whether this is a sustainable level of staffing, if it is similar to other local government bodies, if the outcomes achieved have significantly improved in six years, or even how this compares to other parts of the Council's budgets. I do know that the article pointedly ignores the significant asset base of our city. Scare mongering is no way to start a debate.
Council money
Posted on 11-03-2011 17:53 | By Socantor
I use BayWave facilities nearly every second day. Never have I seen any staff that the place should do without. It's all very well to criticise from an armchair or computer, but things are usually different when you have a close look.
Extrapolate ahead....
Posted on 11-03-2011 18:00 | By wreck1080
At this rate of wage growth, by 2018 the wage bill will be 66 million. It looks like the council are living off the pigs back to me. I personally don't see too many benefits of these extra wage costs since I moved here in 2003. The reporting in not mischievous at all, especially since it is my rates going up by 30% over 3 years.
Bill Faulkner obviously has the Grey Vote
Posted on 11-03-2011 18:58 | By Ngaere
It seems his columns are often full of whinging and belly aching. I have noticed over the past 12 months how pretty the City has started to look. Roads seem to be less congested and gardens are looking much better kept so maybe its time to stop the whinging and get onto things that matter.
Did I hear some one say
Posted on 11-03-2011 19:32 | By Lostzone
Yet again another very good reason for "Citizens Monitoring Council" We the citizens of Tauranga continue to read about councils floundering,like a fish in shallow water (IMO). Why is it that the Mayor continues to ignore questions asked via this public forum. This is the best way for the greater community to hear and see what others think, the questions asked and the response of the appropriate elected member or Council employee. Or 'just maybe' that is why "their" silence is deafening. They can not answer or for "secret reasons" they do not want us to know. Elected Members take note it is not long until the next election."Citizens Monitoring Council" will ensure that the concerns/issues of the community will continue to be in the media along with your response. "Citizens Monitoring Council" will not suffer from short memory syndrome. Accordingly neither will the community.
Did I hear some one say
Posted on 11-03-2011 19:34 | By Lostzone
Yet again another very good reason for "Citizens Monitoring Council" We the citizens of Tauranga continue to read about councils floundering,like a fish in shallow water (IMO). Why is it that the Mayor continues to ignore questions asked via this public forum. This is the best way for the greater community to hear and see what others think, the questions asked and the response of the appropriate elected member or Council employee. Or 'just maybe' that is why "their" silence is deafening. They can not answer or for "secret reasons" they do not want us to know. Elected Members take note it is not long until the next election."Citizens Monitoring Council" will ensure that the concerns/issues of the community will continue to be in the media along with your response. "Citizens Monitoring Council" will not suffer from short memory syndrome. Accordingly neither will the community.
Council employee numbers
Posted on 11-03-2011 21:06 | By Pamaxx
At first reading 506 employees for a council this size seems excessive. Whether this number is correct or not, with all the flack and criticism being heaped on Council it is vital a full and open evaluation of every employee's function is made by our elected councillors to give us ratepayers (your employers)an honest evaluation on council's staff numbers. Only then will ratepayers be convinced they are getting value for the money paid in salaries. Our elected councillors owe ratepayers that much. At the end of the day it's all about transparency. Max Lewis- Mt Maunganui.
True Picture?
Posted on 11-03-2011 21:32 | By tibs
Add to this that the Last $400K CEO effectively gave all council employees unlimited sick leave, too. Anyone know why he bailed to a lesser paying position in Auckland? Or did he realise the folly he was becoming embroiled in and tactfully retreated? Also, the question as to whether morning and afternoon tea and lunches are provided free also seems to go unanswered.
Reliable source?
Posted on 11-03-2011 21:46 | By tibs
It is from Faulkner's Fables! This man, another of those on the council who've been there forever and repeatedly blame former councils for wrong decisions, is the one who's always going to save ratepayers money, prior to each election.
STAFF AUDIT OBVIOUS
Posted on 12-03-2011 09:16 | By The Master
Actual staff numbers stated, add Baypark 20, add Pools another 80 odd, and City Care around another 60 or so and there are a raft of full time contractors also. Then anything that may cause a "butt kick" possibly is farmed out to a consultant, the wage bill of $36m is not the whole picture by any means. It is actually worse than we thought !
TRUTH OF CONVIENIENCE
Posted on 12-03-2011 13:05 | By THE PELICAN BRIEF
I believe that the figures given by Bill a few weeks ago do not tally with these, there seems to be a few more pointy heads lurking behind a few corners when Bill did a head count then. Some weeks Council advertises 4-6 new jobs which either means a lot a re leaving or the place is growing exponentially, the latter of course is more likely.
Divorced from reality,couldn't care less or away with the fairies take your pick
Posted on 12-03-2011 15:49 | By Insider
Unmitigated claptrap.People have been calling out for TCC staff audits for over a year. They correctly calculated what the excessive staff numbers were and what TCC staff were being (over)paid.In addition to TCC staff what about the 100 or so employed in CCOs and those engaged as consultants?.Mayor Crosby, Cr.Faulkner and his fellow TCC Councillors were all only too well aware of the serious staffing issues yet took no steps to rein in the excesses created by ex-CEO TOWN.The current state of TCC staffing levels and salaries is intolerable.Follow the lead of Taupo Hutt & Hamilton to slash the numbers even if it is probably 5years late. Lip service isn't the answer action is needed today.Forget the bleating and woe is me throwaway lines and get on with slashing $10m from TCC wage bill.
freeloaders
Posted on 12-03-2011 22:37 | By Capt_Kaveman
that is all they are, making jobs up for thier mates + finding work around the city like the dumb verg just put in on the strand, same goes to the notice of how to save fuel re petrol prices, i wonder how much everyone would save if they take all the silly speed humps out(apart from around schools) id like this council sacked for mis managment due to the large dept they put on us, its just like a limited liable company where the owner strips it to collapse then sits pretty to what i call stealing the assets that being rate payers $
mis-fits?
Posted on 13-03-2011 11:33 | By claypole
Re CCO's, I have heard that TCAL Baywave employees get free gym/pool membership ($100 per month) and can also nominate another for free membership. I worked for a UK banking organisation whose senior management brought in a private consultancy to reduce staff numbers. Staff redundancies were sanctioned until the consultants started looking at senior management.At that point they were told to finish. There are too many chiefs and not enough indians at TCC, and also there appears to be a complete lack of accountability of which I have personally witnessed. A complete overhaul of TCC is required with a new structure and the pyramid staffing numbers returned to a recognisable shape.
Information
Posted on 13-03-2011 18:24 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Can the Tauranga city council tell us through this forum or your paper how much of the ratepayers money is being allocated to other entities owned or controlled by the council.For example, Tourism BOP,Priority one, Creative Tauranga,Mainstreet organisations, Aquatic centres ,Baypark etc ?
NO JUSTIFICATION
Posted on 14-03-2011 23:17 | By TERMITE
THE INFO AVAILABLE IS NOT ALWAYS COMPLETE BUT: TOURISM BOP $1.5M PA, PRIORITY ONE $0.5M PA, CREATIVE TGA $2.0M PA, MAINSTREET $0.2K PA, POOLS $9.1M PA, BAYPARK $3.0M PA ...... BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE ... BAYPARK ARENA $6.0M PA (est. AS THE FULL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE IS NOT YET KNOWN FULLY AS YET), MT GREENS $4.3M PA, SMART GROWTH $8M SO FAR, SOUTHERN PIPELINE $500M ONCE BUT THEN THERE IS THE INTEREST AND REPAIRS (PS ABOUT $45M PA), BUT WE DON'T ACTUALLY NEED IT ... OTHER PLANS IN THE WINGS AND IF HAPPEN ARE ENDLESS LIKE: - STRAND DEVELOPMENT $3-4M PA, MT HOT POOLS $1.5M PA, LIBRARIES AT THE LAKES, WELCOME BAY ETC $3-5M PA EACH, EASTERN ARTERIAL $20-25M PA AND IT ALSO IS NOT NEEDED IN ANY RESPECT, A WIDENING OF THE EXISTING ROAD WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER AND ACHIEVE THE SAME THING OR BETTER. THESE LOSSES ARE ACCUMULATING EACH AND EVERY YEAR WITH NO SIGN OF ANYTHING CHANGING, TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $100M PA AND RISING, SO NOW YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF WHY YOUR RATES ARE HIGHER AND CAN ONLY GET WORSE THAN BEFORE, IT IS A DEBT SPIRAL THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL AND NOT LIKELY TO GET BETTER ANYTIME SOON, THAT IS PROVEN LEADERSHIP!
IT'S A BAD JOKE
Posted on 15-03-2011 11:05 | By ROCKY
Too many of them, overpaid,inertia driven, underperforming, what else can one say about this place its like a bloody rest home.Solution cut staff by 25% reduce the salary trough by 33% would be a good start.Then next up a staff audit, that should get everyone motivated
Stop giving them your permission then
Posted on 15-03-2011 12:07 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Wean yourselves off demanding council do stuff for a start. Stop demanding other people pay for things YOU want and pay for them yourself Remove the council from ALL unessential services, and ALL forms of arts and entertainment. and stop forcing everybody to pay for things they do not want Reduce staff by 50% and halve your rates.
What permission !
Posted on 16-03-2011 01:54 | By The Master
less that 40% of thise who could voted, we therefore do not have a majority Council at all. Worse than that and as confirmed by Bill F the wage cost has doubled in 6 years, the services have not increased this much, the population has not increased x 2 and so on, what we really have here is a "run away train" and we all know what happens to them unless someone shows a lot of "GOVERNANCE" real quick, sharp and hard then the train hits the wall and it is all over rover!
Ratepayer Feedback
Posted on 16-03-2011 07:59 | By EYESPY
Thats a bit rich CR Faulkner you are simply kiteflying.Councillors were advised well before the last election to undertake a staff audit and most paid lipservice to that course of action.THE SOLUTION IS APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT TO UNDERTAKE A FULL STAFF AUDIT AND RELEASE THE REPORT TO THE PUBLIC.Likely time frame 1month cost $20000. The review would cover staffing levels salaries functions and competency.Get on with it right now and stop pussyfooting around.
PIGS might FLY 2
Posted on 16-03-2011 09:23 | By ROCKY
Eyespy Do you seriously think this TCC mob want an audit.TCC had requested a report last year from from TILBY relating in part to Council functions operations and value for money which effectively panned Council so they ignored it. Others have offered to undertake assessments and been turned down. The sacred cow that Councillors do not want to touch ????????
What a huge response from TCC
Posted on 17-03-2011 18:00 | By Lostzone
mayor,councillors and staff! What, you can't see any replies??? Surely that is a 'real' indication of their concern or interest in what citizens think.In your wildest dreams surely you can see them running around trying to rectify things. Having meetings about all these letters and how to attend to 'your' (The Citizens) concerns. Just try really hard to see it ... You will. Yea right!! Now on a positive note 'watch this space' for "Citizens Monitoring Council" ~ United we stand - divided we fall!
STAFF AUDITS
Posted on 20-03-2011 21:57 | By THE PELICAN BRIEF
EITHER THERE IS A MEANINGFUL STAFF AUDIT OR THE NEXT EVENT WE WILL READ ABOUT IS THAT A COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO RUN THE PLACE. THEN WATCH THE HEADS ROLL IN ALL DIRECTIONS. ISN'T IT AMAZING HOW QUICKLY THE ELECTION PROMISES ARE FOGOTTEN FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS.
IF THERE IS NOT FAT?
Posted on 22-03-2011 10:23 | By TERMITE
Why would you fear a staff audit, in fact you would welcome it becasue you know for a mere $10,000 or so that the whole organisation at TCC would be checked over and given a clean bill of health. The resistence is obvious and the reasons for that are equally obvious.
Waste of money an Audit of staff
Posted on 22-03-2011 16:46 | By WIDOWMAKER
It is not needed because staff are all so careful with everything they do, we all look out for each other so as nothing goes wrong at City Hall
Slash and burn
Posted on 22-03-2011 20:39 | By GESTUREPOLITICS
Widowmaker don't take the p*** it doesn't become you.It is not negotiable a staff audit needed; no more than 300 staff total wages not to exceed $20,000,000.pa.Councillors to have spines fused to stiffen their resolve.
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