Time for some accountability
Richard Rudman’s letter in the last issue of the Star rightly pointed out the over 5% rise in this year’s rates, which is well ahead of any inflation. This is only the latest in the annual rates rises, which are always ahead of inflation.
Taking for instance my rates figures, which I would think to be being pretty much average:
In 2011 they were $2,016 a year or $504 a quarter ( breaking the $500 for the first time).
Inflation adjusted this would be $2,225 in in today’s dollars.
However my 2019 rates are $2,696 which means that my rates have risen $471 above the rate of inflation over the period. A $471 rate rise in real terms.
Backing up the conception that South Wairarapa rates were on the high side were figures produced during the referendum on the three Wairarapa Councils combining. These claimed that South Wairarapa rates were 14% higher than Masterton, 22% higher than Carterton, 56% higher than Upper Hutt. These figures, which are presumable correct, would seem to indicate that it is time for some spending accountability.
The ten year plan indicates that rates are expected to automatically keep rising each year. It appears that the management expects to be able to demand more money as of right.
It is to be hoped that among the newly elected council there will be men and women with business and/or accountancy experience. People who can read and dissect the screeds of figures which will be made available – and, when necessary, question spending.
Mike Beckett
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