The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Says Hamilton City
Council Needs To Reject Their Staff’s Proposed 4.9% Rates
Hike And The Imposition Of Another Additional Four
‘targeted Rates.’
Union spokesperson Louis
Houlbrooke said: “The proposed
rate increases are fiscally irresponsible and tone-deaf.
Ratepayers are struggling in the post-COVID economic
slowdown. They have to live within their means and the
Council should do the same."
”“Council Chief
Executive Richard Briggs claims his staff are ‘aware of
the need to consider affordability to ratepayers.’ This
draft Long-Term Plan shows zero evidence of that platitude.
Council’s net debt will nearly double from $619 million in
2020/21 to $1.129 billion by 2030/31.”
“The plan
predicts that the Council will balance its books in Year 5
(2025-26). The time to balance the books is now. Drop the
vanity projects, cut salaries, and ruthlessly eliminate
low-quality spending.”
“Hamilton City Council
needs to make some tough decisions, be financially prudent,
and live up to their commitment to affordability for
ratepayers,” said Mr
Houlbrooke.
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