Auckland council korero on budget sign off continues

Auckland councillors head into a second day of debate in their efforts to finalise Mayor Wayne Brown's budget, The proposed share sale of airport shares is expected to dominate proceedings and several amendments have been tabled in a bid to break the impasse. his includes looking at alternatives to the contentious selling off of the city's airport shares. During a a nine hour meeting yesterday, the Mayor backed down on selling all 18 percent of the council's Auckland Airport shares - settling now for just eight percent..This scenario would achieve savings of $28 million next year. Mr Brown has proposed a general rates increase of 7.7 percent for residential households, which is one percent higher than the previous figure. Simon Wilson is a Senior Writer NZ Herald based in Auckland and he is keeping watch on proceedings.