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Auckland City chief executive David Rankin will not get a pay rise this year anything like last year's $60,000 increase, says Mayor John Banks.
Last September, a council committee that included former Mayor Dick Hubbard increased Mr Rankin's remuneration package to $447,600, including a bonus of $40,000. The package is disclosed in the council's 2007-2008 annual report.
"I'm far less generous than my predecessor when it comes to remunerating people with ratepayers' cash," Mr Banks said.
It is understood Mr Rankin is not seeking a pay rise, but will receive a modest increase. His bonus will come under close scrutiny.
Mr Rankin is not the highest-paid public official in Auckland. Mark Ford, the chief executive of Watercare Services, earned between $560,000 and $570,000 in the 2007-2008 financial year. The wholesale water and wastewater company is owned by six Auckland councils.
