16 August 20. Mahurnagi Matters newspaper. Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers has called for a rates cap on the back of Mayor Wayne Brown’s admission that this year’s rise of 7.9 per cent would be used to both pay off and run the City Rail Link (CRL).
“I’m angry because we will be paying the extra money from this rates increase forever as it is now baked into our rates bill permanently,” Sayers said.
“I believe there should be a rates cap of between 2 per cent to 4 per cent maximum annually, or it should be no more than the rate of inflation.
“Sayers says he was demoted by Brown as chair of the important Budget and Performance Committee, being relegated to deputy, for not backing the 7.9 per cent rates rise. 
Sayers voted for a lower rates increase which was defeated 15 votes to 8.
In response to questions put to him by Mahurangi Matters, about the CRL’s relevance to Rodney, Brown said in a statement: “Auckland’s integrated transport system brings benefits of the CRL to the whole region, whether or not people have a local railway station. “For people living on the North Shore, they can connect to trains via rapid and frequent buses.
“The CRL is more than just 3.45km of tunnel, it is the centre of a significant improvement to public transport connections, capacity and service for Auckland.”
Sayers said Brown called him personally to advise him about the demotion, adding he was also demoting other councillors who had not supported the 7.9 per cent rate increase.
“The Mayor wanted a guarantee he always has enough votes secured in advance of any debate to get voted through whatever he wants. That is his prerogative under legislation.”
Sayers said he abstained from the vote concerned that councillors who voted against it could risk missing out on funding for their areas.
He pointed to how the unsealed road sealing budget, which largely benefits Rodney, is expected to be doubled next year rather than potentially being cut.
“As chair, I considered that an unacceptable way to influence elected members. My decision to abstain was a deliberate protest against those political implications.”
In the statement to Mahurangi Matters, Brown responded: “I remain committed to continuing a good working relationship with Councillor Sayers.
“The reality of being in a super city is that different areas benefit more at different times. $500 million has been spent on a new sewerage system in Rodney. 
“Also, the unsealed roads improvements programme in the latest long-term plan was $125 million and around 80 per cent of Auckland’s gravel roads are within the Rodney area.
“Another area of spending in Rodney that’s overlooked is on parks, which are paid for by rates. Rodney is home to more than 350 local parks and reserves.
“This is significantly higher than urban local boards. Rodney also hosts a third of all Auckland regional parks.”
In response Sayers said sewage systems are paid for from water fees not rates.
He added the general public are far more interested in seeing what is in next year’s budget for Rodney after another massive rates increase, far more than the Mayor quoting old or incorrect figures about what rates get spent back in Rodney.
“I have asked Mayor Brown to go to the vote on what is Council’s core business as the Councillors, Local Board members and the bureaucrats all have different interpretation of what it is” said Sayers. ” Fortunately he has agreed to do as part on the next budget setting processes.”
“Lets see if the unsafe unsealed roads which kill more people than any other roads across Auckland get the doubling of funding to stop the Auckland road toll all Aucklanders are crying out for,” says Sayers. “The proof will be in the pudding.”
“Importantly, what the Mayors is failing to do is to provide a breakdown of all the rates spent back in the area compared the amount of rates we pay,” says Sayers. “That lacks transparency for ratepayers and I will continue to fight for the financial accountability that all ratepayers across Auckland deserve.”