Mayor Alarmed by Budget Portrayal

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt is concerned that the public are being misled by media over the provision of his Mayoral budget.

“I am very concerned that that the ‘The Southland Times’ has repeatedly referred to the total amount allocated to the Mayoral budget without any reference to how that figure is apportioned” he stated.

“The inference has been that I have this amount at my disposal in its entirety.

It has not been made clear to the public that this budget covers many items which are fixed costs and represent accounting adjustments this includes $51 000 for overheads and the rental of my office area and $22 000 for staff costs, alone.”

“Currently, there is no provision in the Mayor’s budget for marketing or promotion.”

“Growing the population and marketing the city was a portfolio assigned to me by Council in the Annual Plan. Unlike the portfolios given to Cr Norman Elder (CBD redevelopment $270 000) and Crs Buck and Boniface (Urban Renewal $90 000), there was no provision in the Annual Plan for this amount and Council agreed it was expedient that a budget should be allocated to enable me to pursue this portfolio before the next Annual Plan.”