To achieve zero rates increases, the council would have to take services off ratepayers by either:Eliminating $270m off the capital works budget per year into the future. To achieve zero rates rises, this list would only be part of necessary reductions. The elected reps then conduct a rationing exercise; there's never enough money to meet all the demands. None of these operating challenges will be able to be met if there are zero rates increases; or if we pretend "internal efficiencies" will achieve it. Elected reps need independent, specialised, external groups advising them on every area of the council's finances to add to their decision-making process.

Source: Stuff September 30, 2019 16:30 UTC