The Orakei Local Board member and centre-right candidate said he would find $35 million in savings to freeze rates in his first budget. Photo / Supplied
Auckland mayoral candidate Mark Thomas says he will give ratepayers a choice to freeze rates or a rates increase of about 2 per cent or 4 per cent to pay for projects in their area.
"My approach will tie any rates increase Aucklanders approve more clearly to specific local projects.
This is a version of the targeted rate mechanism council already uses," Mr Thomas said today.
The Orakei Local Board member and centre-right candidate said he would find $35 million in savings to freeze rates in his first budget, mostly from savings in the $422 million governance budget, but also savings in community services and economic and cultural development budgets.
He said people in the north, west, centre, east, south and rural areas would vote to endorse growth tied to their area, or the option of a rates freeze.
"I will argue that Aucklanders support growth, but will provide a $35 million council savings "dividend" in year one to encourage them to do this," Mr Thomas said.
