Town Clerk refutes allegations

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 19, 11 October 1983, Page 2

Town Clerk refutes allegations

In an endeavour to set some records Straight, 1 would like persons who quote percentages and figures to have their facts checked prior to going to print. The Council officers are always available to answer any of these types of questions during office hours. A percentage recently quoted by Mr Heappey was for the year ending 1982/83 — that Council's administration costs were 46%, and that Council had only spent 16% on roads. The correct figures are 32% administration costs (which is below the national average), and 17% on roading (equal to the national average). I would like to point out that when first appointed to this position, the turnover in the Borough was $96,000, with an administration rate of 50%. We now turn over $350,000 with- an administration rate of 32%. In respect of the works programme, with the increased value of land in Ohakune, this has reduced our subsidy rate from the National Roads Board, and as a consequence, the extra funding must come from the rate payers. Over the past three^years, the Council has been aware of this extra burden to its ratepayers and has endeavoured to keep rates reasonable while maintaining a 17% works programme. I would therefore consider that the Council has met its obligations in respect of both these points raised. Another point raised at the public meeting was the expensive building inspector. Could I please put this matter in perspective. The Building and Health Inspectors cost to the ratepayers has been, and still is, 5% of the Town Clerk's salary. This cost to ratepayers which, 6 years ago was $500 p.a., and is now only $ 1 1 00 p.a. The average salary for a Building and Health Inspector for a town of this size would be between $15000 and $18000; a considerable saving for Ohakune, especially as the

Town Clerk is also the Building and Health Inspector. When one takes into account the number of building permits issued (451), and the value of the permits ($10,713,122) over the last six years, does Mr Heappy still believe that ratepayers have had an expensive building inspector? The insinuations that have been made recently over administration costs, which mistakenly are taken to relate entirely to salaries, are incorrect and in fact the salaries over the past 6 years have only amounted to an average of 1 3% of the gross turnover. These are the facts which I believe the public to date have not been interested in obtaining, but would rather assume the figures printed to impress voters are correct. This Borough has been in the enviable position of progress which has not beeiw general throughout tllH country over recent years, and some sacrifices had to be made. 1 believe the councillors and staff of this borough have always looked at the interests of the ratepaver, and should have the backing of these people if we are to progress further in the future.

Colin

Turner