A key question for this Waimakariri District Council election campaign, How do you propose to reduce the debt?

In council, there are two ways to pay for capital projects. Borrow, or raise rates (or both).

To clamp down severely on loan funding leaves you only with rate rises as a way to pay for services

Going only to rates makes today’s generation pay the entire cost of an asset that may have a life of 50 to 100 years. Those who follow will pay nothing.

Long term debt funding spreads this cost across the generations. This isn’t ‘saddling’ anyone, it’s fair.

(And to cut rates substantially, well – that leaves you with little ability to pay for any thing, any time, any where)

We hear the message above
virtually every day in council and it’s been verified by independent banking experts, Audit NZ, and just about anyone who works in local government.

How else would Waimakariri have funded quake recovery?

Something to think about when you hear tasty quick-fix ideas