At a Waitaki District Council meeting on Tuesday director of support services Paul Hope was asked about the risk to council finances of ratepayers defaulting on their payments because of the district’s impending 22% rates rise.
Mr Hope said the council had no need to be concerned, because councils had the power to demand the sale of a property in order to recover unpaid rates.
‘‘We will eventually collect the rates basically because we can sell properties.’’
Hundreds of ratepayers and residents raced to social media to express anger and disgust over Mr Hope’s apparent lack of empathy.
‘‘What a cold, callous ass, he’s only interested in getting money.
‘‘At what cost? Yes, the elderly,’’ one user said.
Another said ‘‘how bloody arrogant’’.
When asked yesterday if he stood by his comments, Mr Hope told Allied Media his answer was ‘‘accurate’’.
‘‘The answer given in Tuesday’s meeting was accurate, in that is a description of the powers given to councils in Local Government Ratings Act 2002, including the ability to set rates, the expectation that rates are paid when budgets are being set and further action which can be taken if necessary.’’
Instances of the council selling properties to recuperate rates were ‘‘extremely rare and has only occurred twice in the last 20 years’’, he said.
‘‘Council makes every effort to work with ratepayers to address any rates arrears.’’
Council chief executive Alex Parmley also said he stood by Mr Hope’s comment.
‘‘Mr Hope answered the question he was asked by a councillor in a frank and truthful manner, describing how rates are set and the powers the legislation gives councils regarding rates.
‘‘Some of the online commentary, including personal attacks on Mr Hope, have been thoroughly inappropriate.’’
Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said the last thing council wanted to do was to sell ratepayers’ houses.
‘‘We just want to be really clear that we’re not in the habit of selling houses and we are going to be looking for ways to work with ratepayers when they have financial difficulties.
‘‘While Mr Hope’s comments were technically correct as that is an avenue council can use, it’s not one that we choose to use.
‘‘The day we’re talking about selling properties is the day we’re getting things wrong.’’
Waitaki Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Ray Henderson said while Mr Hope’s comment was factually correct, it ‘‘probably wasn’t the right thing to say under the circumstances’’.
‘‘It was very unfortunate it was the first thing that came to his mind.
‘‘It’s quite true, legally if rates are overdue on a property then eventually, after a long legal process, it can result in a house being sold to recover the cost, but it’s not an immediate fix.
‘‘In the local government act it’s described as a last resort.’’
