Auckland Council have released their draft emergency budget for the 2020-2021 financial year.

This budget reflects expected COVID-19 revenue loss and the impacts of various levels of rate rises of 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent

This budget is greatly reduced from that previously consulted upon earlier this year. It has significant impacts for Rodney, including up to 20 per cent cuts to the local board's discretionary budgets, and cuts to transport projects, including road sealing.

Rodney Local Board transport targeted rates funded projects are safe; the legislation states that the $150 per SUIP collected must be spent in the local board area.

Local residents are being asked to give feedback on the budget, which can be found here. Consultation is open from now until midnight June,19.

The specific issues they are looking for feedback on are the mayor's recommendations to consider both a 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent property rates rise – there is information outlining the potential impact of both options – the extension of our property rates postponement policy to businesses experiencing financial hardship, and the suspension of the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate, and the expenditure that it would fund, until March 30, 2021.

The council expect to make emergency budget decisions by July 16, and formally adopt the emergency budget on July 30, 2020.