Rates cap: easy way out

THE question is will Casey council have a financial crisis due to any rates cap or are we really seeing a management problem?
According to Lachlan Moorhead’s report (Council Bids To Break Cap, Journal News, 8 February) Casey Mayor Sam Aziz, claims Casey “council was acting in the best interests of ratepayers” by seeking to apply for a rates variation above 2.5 per cent from the Essential Services Commission.
Cr Aziz has also publicly claimed that Casey will be faced with a multi-million dollar financial deficit due to rates capping in future.
Cr Aziz has not informed residents and ratepayers that Casey council also has the capacity to compensate for any shortfall in revenue from substantial productivity offsets by varying its own often controversial spending patterns.
Council decided to spend $125 million on the Bunjil Place project.
This project cannot in anyway be described as an essential community service especially in view of the fact that council is aware that future new sub-divisions will need more family and children’s centres and recreational facilities.
Casey council also voted to support an overseas trip to China for up to six Casey councillors and staff. Casey has also used ratepayers’ finances to promote the East-West Link and the promotion of Bunjil Place.
Only 21 councils have registered an intention to apply for a rates cap variation.
This means that most councils have found ways to achieve productivity gains and match the expectations of their local communities.
If Casey has financial problems they may really need to look at their CEO Mike Tyler whom they keep reappointing without advertising his job, even though many community residents no longer have confidence in his leadership.
John Glazebrook,
Endeavour Hills.