Councillor Tim Fulton emphasized that the council is not a business and their responsibility to the community remains regardless of financial constraints. The annual plan was adopted at a meeting attended by Mayor Dan Gordon and nine councillors.
During the meeting, councillors addressed online comments suggesting the council should operate more like a business. Cr Joan Ward highlighted the diverse range of services provided by the council, including roading, infrastructure, pools, and libraries.
Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson highlighted the transparency of the council compared to private businesses, pointing out that power bills and insurance costs have increased significantly more than the council’s rate rise.
Councillor Paul Williams, known for his scrutiny of council spending, abstained from the vote on the annual plan. The consultation process received 787 submissions, with the majority focused on the proposed water services model to comply with government legislation.
The council intends to invest nearly $90 million in capital projects to support growth in the region over the next year. Mayor Dan Gordon acknowledged the contributions of Deputy Mayor Atkinson, who is set to retire at the next election.
â– LDR provides local body journalism supported by RNZ and NZ On Air.
