Rates rise changed

Editor,

How is it that in the short space of a few weeks the mayor changed his intention to limit this year’s rates rise to 2.5 per cent to an approved draft annual plan with a rise of 3 per cent?

Did all the extra costs recorded on Kapi-Mana News’ page 3 [KMN, March 12] suddenly arise in just three weeks? And, given that page 9 recorded councillor Kelly’s inquiry about the extra $78,000 in staff salaries, does the plan include this cost as well or does the CEO really believe that extra staff time comes at no cost to the city?