Two mayoral candidates have butted heads over a proposal to reduce rates ahead of the Maitland Council election.
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Labor’s Loretta Baker proposed a reduction in the special rate variation last week that would see rates fall by an average of $100 per residential ratepayer as a one-off benefit.
Independent candidate Philip Penfold slammed the proposal on 2NUR radio, claiming it would lead to a $10 million dollar shortfall.
Cr Baker accused Cr Penfold of “misleading the electorate”, saying her plan could only be accused of costing $3.3 million at most, but that it would be more like $2.5 million with the exclusion of commercial and agricultural ratepayers.
Cr Penfold said he made his assessment based on $3.3 million of reductions per year over the three year council term after Cr Baker’s press release did not specify the proposal was a one-off benefit.
"The original press release made no mention of this being a one year cut,” he said. “Not until they got cold feet a few days later and spoke to The Mercury did Cr Baker change this to be a once-off.”
But Cr Baker defended the release, saying she had always made it “very clear” the proposal offered a total saving of $100 per ratepayer.
Cr Penfold also took aim at Cr Baker for moving to adopt a rates increase in June, and now proposing an decrease.
Cr Baker said she moved the rate increase as part of a bigger package, which included rates, projects and other expenditure.
She said the proposal came after speaking to residents on the campaign, who told her electricity and rates were too high.