I wonder for how much longer pensioners like my self and others can continue to support the government benefit fund. The mayor failed to consider those who have not had increases in their pensions or increases in salary for many that barely match inflation. I guess it is with trepidation that many read of the much-higher-than-inflation increases for municipal services glibly announced by the mayor. The mayor offered no reasons for these unsustainable and unwarranted increases. We are not receiving a better or improved service but rather the opposite.
I append below a chart based on my actual annual average consumption and payments for electricity. The costs do not include the additional AMP levy that merely makes the situation worse.
From the data it can be seen that:
Between 1995 and 2007 my electricity costs increased by 140%.
Between 2007 and 2015, my electricity costs increased by 330%.
Between 1995 and 2015, my electricity costs increased by 933%.
In the 20 year period 1995-2015 the data shows annual increases of more than 10% on 10 occasions, the range being between 10.53% and 51.16%.
If an average inflation rate for the period 1995-2015 of 6% is assumed then 16 of the 20 increases were above 6%. The stage for switching off is fast approaching as indigence nears.
We will have to wait and see where the latest increase will take us.
Very concerned ratepayer
