So what has happened?

The draft 10 Year budget (9-12-2014) stated HCC financial strategy as ‘‘Living within our means’’. Components of this strategy included ‘‘Rates certainty’’ and ‘‘Efficiency savings, service cuts, additional revenue’’. Development contributions were ‘‘budgeted conservatively’’ followed by ‘‘Should Hamilton grow more quickly than expected, then development contribution revenue is likely to exceed these expectations’’. This seems to imply that growth was manageable.

Today we have a council that claims unexpected growth has given rise to a need to increase rates, that past processes were wrong.

Despite almost all councillors’ election platforms being based on fiscal conservatism, we are now being offered substantial rate increases that produce extraordinary excess revenues in the latter 5-6 years.

What happened to responsibility, ownership and actions to repair the failures of HCC. Our councillors do not seem to argue for ratepayers and residents, rather focusing on the trivial. Whatever happened to the concept of ‘‘the buck stops here’’?

It seems to me we need a council with a little fire in its belly, an administration that responds to council rather then drives it and accountable management.

Perhaps after each election council management should be made to re-apply for their positions based on key performance indicators and results.

There has to be a better way than the leadership currently on offer.

Bruce Cresswell

Hamilton