Pay Rise For Harland Not Justified

The ODT reports that Dunedin City Council Chief Executive, Jim Harland, has been awarded a pay rise after his annual appraisal after Councillors and senior staff rated his performance. If ratepayers were asked to rate Harland's performance then I am sure that they would find many reasons why this pay rise is not justified:

• He has already has had a big pay increase from $208,000 in 2004 to the current $355,000. The is more than a fair salary for his role.
  
• Most other Council, Government, and private-sector staff are having nil, or very-low, pay increases.
  
• Harland's time at the DCC has been marked by Empire-building and a massive increase in spending . This has resulted in many years of large rates increases and there are many more years of large rates increases to come.
• The last year has been marked by major bungles such as the Harbourside debacle, and multiple bungles in Parking.