I’ve learnt so much about Tauranga City Council and that got me wondering if you might be interested in a short video course to get you up to speed on what it’s all about?
Video #1: “Why are rates increasing by almost 10% year on year for 3 years?”
That’s a question that is on a lot of peoples minds. There are 5 reasons. I answer this question in this 6 minute video.
In this video you’ll find out:
- What the proposed annual rates increases are for the next 10 years
- The 5 uses for those funds
Video #2: “Why is debt increasing to almost $1 Billion over the next 10 years?”
That’s the question I answer in this 8 minute video.
In this video you’ll find out:
- What debt is for
- It’s a tool to enables councils to build infrastructure now
- It spreads the cost of infrastructure over several generations who benefit
- We pay to service that debt with interest (currently at $25M per year)
- How council debt is different from household debt (mortgages)
- What is causing this additional debt?
Video #3: “Explain my Tauranga City Council rates invoice to me. What do all these charges mean?”
That’s the question I answer in today’s 6 minute video.
Do you know what each item on your rates invoice means? Even if you are renting, all these costs are being passed through to you so isn’t it time you found out what they mean?
In this video you’ll find out:
- What each charge means
- How your land value and capital value is used in the calculations
- Why we contribute to the BOP Regional Council
- Fun Fact: You and I pay $1/week for the bus even if we don’t ride it!
Video #4: “What Tauranga City Council services do my rates pay for?”
That’s the question I answer in today’s 7 minute video.
In this video you’ll find out:
- That 40% of our rates are spend on water: fresh water, waste water, storm water
- That our biggest single cost is Parks and Recreation: 21%
- That elected members salary’s, elections, strategy, policy, building services are relatively small costs
Video #5: “How can I have input into Tauranga City Council decisions?”
That’s the question I answer in today’s 6 minute video.
In this video you’ll find out the 8 ways you can have input into council decisions (in order from least effective to most effective).
Video #6: “What are Tauranga City Councillors talking about this week? Can I go and watch?”
That’s a question I answer in this 5 minute video.
You’ll find out:
- Where to find the meeting calendar
- How to find the council chambers so you can go and watch
- How to find the background info which forms the basis of elected members decisions
Video #7: “Is it true there are 3 councils in the Tauranga area? What geographical area do they cover?”
Yes, there are 3 councils in the Tauranga area:
Tauranga City Council
Western Bay District Council
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
In this 4 minute video I show you a map of the different geographic areas each council looks after:
Ideas For Future Videos:
Here’s my list of video ideas so far.
What else would you like to know? Add your own ideas to the comments section below
- Is it true there are 3 councils in the Tauranga area? What geographical area do they cover? – DONE!
- What are Tauranga City Councillors talking about this week? Can I go and watch? – DONE!
- Help me understand what is on my rates invoice – DONE!
- What does the council spend ratespayer funds on? – DONE!
- How do I get the council to hear my ideas? – DONE!
- Who has decision making power in council?
- What is the organisational structure of the council? How are the roles of elected members and staff different?
- When funding projects, what is the difference between rates funding and debt funding?
- How does the election work?
- How do I run for council next time?
- What are “wards”? What does “at large” mean?
- Where does all the poo go?
- Why don’t we have passenger trains?
- Why does it take so long to free up land for housing?
What else would you like to know?