He’s opted out of another term as a ward councillor – and even thought about resigning – but Mike Keir now wants the Waikato district mayoral chains.
Mike Keir
Jacqui Church has held them for the last two and a half years.
Keir, who alternates with fellow Woodlands-Tamahere councillor Crystal Beavis in penning a monthly column in The News, has regularly vented his frustration at council operations.
He told The News he was frustrated with the latest rate increase decision.
“…last year after completing a one year enhanced annual plan that resulted in a 12.9 per cent rate increase, I requested that we do our Long-Term Plan differently to get a different outcome. Yet we have used exactly the same system and are facing an average 11 per cent rate rise for those ratepayers on our waters network with ongoing rate increases of eight per cent for the next eight years.
Jacqui Church – Waikato mayor
“Everyone agrees that the rating system is broken, and I hear a lot of talk to that effect, however I see no action.”
He believes it is possible to bring rate increases down below the inflation rate which is what is required.
“A 2018 Government report on the rating system said that increasing rates faster than the consumer price index or wage growth is unsustainable yet we have carried on doing this for the past seven years and forecast to continue for the next nine. How is this allowed to happen?”
He believes that, like the reserve bank, councils should have a target band for rate increases and it should be supported by central government.
Keir, who will vote for the retention of Māori wards at the referendum in October, believes the joint agreement between the council and Tainui is under performing.
“I also believe that Tainui is a huge asset to our community. It is the only corporate we have that invests back into our district and region with a long-term view. Their recent Ruakura hub development should serve as a guideline for resource management reform in this country.”
Keir acknowledges he faces a challenge to win the election, but “if unelected as mayor, then the voters have had their say and I will leave the local government sector having a least tried to make change”.
Cheers to the next three years – new Tamahere-Woodlands councillors Crystal Beavis and Mike Keir in 2022.
