The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed that Tim Shadbolt the Mayor of Invercargill has racked up $147,243 in mayoral expenses since late 2016.
They claim that Shadbolt has shown fiscal irresponsibility by spending large amounts of money on frivolous or personal things.
Seven different times, his card was used for ‘accommodation for Mayor Shadbolt and Family’. Ratepayers might be surprised to learn that the Mayor is using their money to take his family on junkets.
Other expenses included spending $19,534 on books and magazines, $8,051 on conference fees, $3,256 on wristbands, $2,662 in donations to private charity, and $1,854 at liquor stores.
Mayor Shadbolt also spent nearly $3,113 on maintenance for his famous ratepayer-bought Chrysler 300C, revealed earlier in the year to be the most expensive mayoral vehicle in the country. It’s no wonder that the Council is reviewing the cost of its fleet if existing vehicles are kicking up so much in maintenance costs.
The Taxpayers Union sent the same Mayoral spending request to other councils but they claim that Mayor Shadbolt’s spending dwarfs the spending of other Mayors.
Do you think that ratepayers would be okay with a Mayor using public money to pay for gifts, alcohol and family holidays?
The full spreadsheet of expenses is available here.