The biggest cost drop, however, came from employee reductions, with at least 98 roles cut and at $12.3m saved.
The council deliberated on its 2025/26 Annual Plan from Monday to Thursday after receiving 968 submissions and hearing from 68 people in person this month.
On Thursday Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the changes and savings made in the plan would flow through to future years.
Drysdale promised he would keep the rates below those forecast in the long-term plan.
“I appreciate that a lot of work went into getting to the 9.9%, so I’m not dismissing that, but I think we need to end up lower.”
The council’s operating expenses were still too high, and he wanted work done before the Annual Plan was adopted in July to reduce rates further, he said.
During the four days of deliberations, the council discussed everything from portaloos to tsunami paths in Pāpāmoa.
The council also agreed to extend the Pāpāmoa shared coastal path from Parton Rd to Taylor Reserve, provided it cost no more than $1m and could be delivered within the council’s current budget.
There were some losers from the deliberations.
Councillors declined ARGOS Gym Sports $67,000 for a new kitchen and cafe facility, and Bowls Matua would not receive $180,000 to upgrade its third green.
Creative Bay of Plenty would also not receive a $77,500 increase in its funding.
The rates increase would be finalised in June when the Annual Plan was adopted.
