David Hay refuses to sign "Ratepayer Protection Pledge"
Friday, 19 August 2016, 10:57 am Press Release: David Hay
Mayoral Candidate David Hay has declined to sign a pledge to
keep rates rises in Auckland at or below 2% per annum, which
is being promoted by the "Auckland Ratepayers Alliance"
Mr
Hay said today: "If elected Mayor of Auckland I absolutely
do intend to make Auckland Council more efficient and
effective, and I will do my utmost to ensure rates are fair
and reasonable. Auckland has been through a period of
significant rates rises and I understand that ratepayers
have little tolerance for further rises."
"However I
cannot predict the future, or what issues or surprises I
might encounter as Mayor. And the Mayor does not have the
final say on the council budget - it is adopted by a
majority vote of the Governing Body."
"While I sympathise
with the position taken by the Ratepayers Alliance, I will
not to make promises or pledges if I cannot guarantee I
would be able to keep them. In this case, I have to
decline"
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