Spending
ISSUE IN BRIEF:
Local body spending is neither all good, nor all bad.
Making prudent judgments about councils’ spending decisions requires two kinds of review.
Looking down from 10,000 meters up, it’s a matter of priorities … Whose priorities are being served? Are these priorities aligned with any expressed priorities on the part of the ratepayers? Have they even been asked about their spending priorities?
And looking up from the bottom, it’s a matter of sound fiscal management … How much did we actually pay for that, versus what was projected? Is that project really thought through and worth the money? Is there a less expensive way to get something done, or provide a needed service? Is that item just a favor for some councillor?
Of course, answering any of these questions requires total financial transparency. It requires financial information to be readily available in formats that are meaningful to the average citizen. It requires candor on the part of elected officials and professional staffs.
Our observation is that fiscal accountability amongst Bay councils and boards could be vastly improved.
For example, ratepayers could be asked directly if they support projects costing over some moderate dollar threshold … why should councils commit to a $55 million sports park without explicit approval from the public?
For example, why can’t budget reports be prepared in formats that facilitate public review? Most official documents require a certified accountant to penetrate, and even then simple answers to obvious questions cannot be determined.
BayBuzz intends to press into spending issues from both the top down – challenging fundamental priorities … and the bottom up – advocating greater transparency and accountability throughout the spending process.
Resources:
Here is where you can read the complete, final results of the BayBuzz poll on spending priorities
What You Can Do:
If you’ve spotted an example of wasteful council spending, tell BayBuzz about it.
Photo/Video Gallery:
Have an example of misguided spending? Can you illustrate it with a digital photo? If so, send it to BayBuzz!
Comments
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I am flabbergasted at the same stretches of roads that seem to be dug up repeatedly- eg: Lyndhurst, Mahora intersection, Omahu Road. Doing it once and doing it right seems to NOT feature in the grand scheme of HB road funding.
Why too I ask, do they insist on carrying out road works near schools immediately after school holidays- is it to inconvenience commuters as much as possible? Pakowhai Road has an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing by Girls’ High- witness the back-log of traffic at peak times, as vehicles are forced to stop for tardy flocks of teens crossing at whim.