The decision will mean an average annual rate rise of 8.9% across the city. Over the last two days, Councillors mulled over 5,690 submissions from the public – the most ever received on city proposals. These submissions provided feedback on Council’s 11 specific topics, plus other city issues. Following a three-day discussion, Council instructed staff to prepare a budget based on investing $2.5 billion on capital projects plus $3.7 billion in operating costs. In addition, Council resolved to invest: $55 million over 10 years to provide safe routes for walking, biking, scooting and skating around the city. $3 million to upgrade the Gordonton Road / Puketaha Road intersection starting in