Cr Brown announced at yesterday's extraordinary council meeting that he had written to the Office of the Auditor-general asking for an opinion on whether the regional council had adequately consulted on the building proposal.
"We are disenfranchising our ratepayers, that is the guts of it," Cr Brown said.
The announcement came as the council discussed a paper on its proposed principal premises which included a provision of $31.2 million for the project to be included in the long-term council community plan, and planned to discuss in-committee the tenders received.
The office block, planned for the junction of Kitchener and Birch Sts, was estimated to cost about $12 million when the public was first consulted in 2006. Last year, an estimate of $27.6 million was given.
Cr Brown said he believed the public consultation process, under the Local Government Act 2002, had been seriously abused.
"There are clear steps in the Act we must follow, and we haven't done that."
He had raised the issue many times without being given a satisfactory answer. Having only two paragraphs about the building proposal in the 2006 annual plan was not adequate consultation, he said. Claims the increase was because of inflation also did not stand.
"It's a totally different project [now]. From $12 million to over $30 million, it has nearly trebled in price."
Other councils, such as Selwyn District and Horowhenua District, which had embarked on similar projects, had done more consultation, Cr Brown said.
He proposed that before approval of any tender for construction, the council undertake formal consultation, as required by the Act.
Cr Stephen Woodhead said he was disappointed a complaint had been made to the Auditor-general.
"I do not believe we have ridden roughshod over ratepayers. Yes, it has evolved and changed."
That information had gone into the public arena as soon as the council had been aware of it, he said.
Cr Duncan Butcher said he believed the council had met public consultation expectations and could not afford to "go back to square one".
Councillors needed to put aside their concerns until the tenders were considered, and then have discussion when the final cost was known.
Cr Bryan Scott said he believed Cr Brown's request was reasonable and the council could have done better at public consultation.
Cr Gerry Eckhoff said the council had deviated from its core business with this project.
Councillors voted 6-4 in favour of Cr Brown's motion and chief executive Graeme Martin said he would prepare for councillors a paper outlining the adequate consultation.
Chairman Stephen Cairns said it seemed as if the council had hit another "void", as the recommendation presented some challenges that would need to be worked through.
He intended to talk to the Auditor-general's office to see if he could "fast track" the complaint, which had left "us somewhat in limbo for a period".
Mr Cairns was not sure how it would impact on the building's tender process. The meeting was closed without the tenders being discussed.
Cr Brown said after the meeting he was happy with the outcome as "principles were at stake" and would be also be happy if it was included in the annual plan process for public consultation.
• Cost estimates
2006: $12 million.
2008: $27.6 million.
2009: $31.2 million.
