Tauranga City's mobile library service is among proposed spending cuts put forward by the council today in abid to hold the rates demand down.
TCC councillors today put forward the idea to ensure rates stay within the self-imposed two per cent rates cap, plus a 4.7 per cent stormwater levy.
The proposal follows councillors working on the city's finances since December and managing to trim $11.2 million from the city's capital expenditure so far.
Spreadsheets made public yesterday show the annual plan options chosen so far still leave a rates increase of 8.3 per cent.
Today, councillors directed TCC staff to have another look at the figures, including the removal of a $1.5 million debt retirement fund. Removing it will reduce rates another 1.3 per cent.
In a strategy close to splitting the council, today's decision of putting the stormwater levy out for public consultation survived by one vote.
Those in favour include Kelvin Clout, Steve Morris, John Robson, Catherine Stewart, Rick Curach, Bill Grainger. Those against are Stuart Crosby, Matt Cowley, Bev Edlin, Clayton Mitchell, Gail McIntosh.
The reviewed figures will be returned to council's final decision on March 14.
8 comments
Do your job ...
Posted on 10-02-2014 17:21 | By Murray.Guy
Councillors, while you fail (or is that refuse) to address spiralling staff numbers, unnecessarily fund green space and destroy car parks, while our cities ratepayers continue to 100% fund my boat launching, car and trailer park - you haven't done as you promised, you haven't done your job, you've taken the easy road! The rates cap is about fiscal discipline, responsibility, not to just add a levy as it suits - DO YOUR JOB, tell the staff to do theirs! I appreciate that those (Mayor) opposed to the levy wanting to spend up on 'nice to haves'. I appose because you have failed to meaningfully instruct the Mayor and CEO to reign in flamboyant use of 'our credit card'.
Oh please, ex Cr Murray Guy
Posted on 10-02-2014 18:42 | By Councillorwatch
A bit rich for you to be telling councillors "do your job." Didn't the spiralling staff numbers start when you were a councillor? What about all the money spent for CEOs and consultants to restructure and all the heartache that caused? Did you have the courage to tell the staff what to do? If so, what and what jobs went? Did you approve a $5 million "loan" to Baypark and the purchase of a Speedway business? Well I guess there's nothing like an ex councillor having had their chance, to criticise a new lot when they've only just begun. A bit shocked to read that ratepayers continue to fund your boat launching, car and trailer park though? Here I was thinking putting money into Baypark was excessive?
Library
Posted on 10-02-2014 18:50 | By Blogger
The Greerton library does not need a huge makeover, it just needs maintenance!! Can they not use existing funds to repair it? Come on councillors, start looking at it properly, spend some time do the research !
Councillorwatch, you are surprisingly confused ..
Posted on 10-02-2014 22:37 | By Murray.Guy
Councillorwatch, The answer is yes, I did consistently register concern in regards escalating operational costs (spiralling staff and procurement costs) BUT did not have majority support of the elected members. Yes I did support the restructure with the projected staff and rate savings along with addressing a TCC culture, less than desirable. Unfortunately the passing of CEO Ken Paterson and the elections saw the process reversed, much to my dismay. TCVL (Baypark) was not provided a $5 ratepayer loan. TCVL took on the debts of the ratepayer associated with TECT Arena and the stadium, and these were reduced by $5 million. NO LOAN. Yes I did support this reduced debt for TCVL, now BLEL. Someone please help 'councillorwatch' by reading, explaining this to him/her!
TheodorusI
Posted on 10-02-2014 22:52 | By Theodorus
What is the difference between a 4.7% stormwater levy and another extra 4.7% rates increase? Just another way to putting the wool over our eyes and make us pay more!
Well
Posted on 11-02-2014 08:36 | By Capt_Kaveman
Kelvin Clout, Steve Morris, John Robson, Catherine Stewart, Rick Curach, Bill Grainger -So those who voted for these are you kicking yourself for doing so? if this levy is approved i will form a major protest and think ill have quite some support
The total rates rise is what matters
Posted on 11-02-2014 16:31 | By Annalist
Forget splitting into a stormwater levy or whatever, the fact is the total rate rise is what people have to pay. What is needed is a combination of reduced expenditure with savings going to repay debt. New libraries and extra expenditure on events are not affordable.
Get your own house in order
Posted on 11-02-2014 17:46 | By Taffy
Go back and do the job properly ie the so called restructure to reduce staff costs what ever happened to the orginal propsal to cut jobs by 45. Really what we got was a new CEO plus 3 out of 4 new Execs. Do they they actually exist I am starting to have doubts you never hear from them. When you sort this problem out to the satisfaction of the the majority then come back with some ideas to fund your previous stuff ups.
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