There were "challenging" but "fair" questions at a community meeting in Otematata around rates rise options, the local councillor says.
Cr Brent Cowles, who represents the Ahuriri ward, was at the meeting in the Otematata Community Centre on Sunday to answer questions from the public alongside fellow councillors and Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale.
There was a "strong turnout" at the meeting, the first of three public meetings held as part of the council’s consultation into three rates rise options — 19%, 27% and 45%.
"Overall it was good," Cr Cowles told the Oamaru Mail following the meeting, adding that there were some "challenging" questions but they were "all fair questions".
The elected representative said that any businesses putting prices up did not fix the financial crisis and it was also important to look at how the business was run.
"I think that is certainly something that is foremost in all our minds. There is a lot of work to do on that side of things as well."
This included looking at "how to do things differently" and operating "a little more commercially" so the council was not relying on rates.
The looming prospect of amalgamation of councils would also "really change the landscape", he said, and there were upcoming long-term plan discussions to factor in.
"It is really important that we stand up and are transparent and answer the questions that need to be asked. The community deserves that at the very least."
