A proposed 9 per cent average rates rise will go out for public feedback after Whangarei District Council voted to send its Long Term plan out for submissions.
Yesterday the local authority voted to adopt the consultation document for the Long Term Plan 2015-25. While next year would be the most significant hike, equating to $128 extra on average, over the next 10 years the council could almost double how much money it collects from rates.
The consultation document proposes that each following year, until 2025, rates rise by 2 per cent on top of inflation.
Councillor Sue Glen said she would "never ever" vote for a rates increase of nine per cent.
"We don't need to put more pressure on ordinary everyday families who are just trying to make ends meet."
Cr Glen was supported by councillors Tricia Cutforth, Brian McLachlan and Stuart Bell who all voted against adopting the consultation document.
Mayor Sheryl Mai said the proposed jump in rates in the first year of the plan, July 2015-June 2016, would balance the council's budget and allow it to maintain the same level of service. Rates had not increased since 2006 though the council had sold off assets and gone into debt to balance the budget, she said.
"We are proposing a different funding mechanism," Ms Mai said.
While the consultation document said the council favoured the rate-increase option, there are two other options. The second is for no rates rise, aside from the usual inflation, and a reduction in services such as library hours and road maintenance. The third option is halfway between the first two - a smaller rates rise and a smaller reduction of services.