It seems to me that Auckland ratepayers have been duped!

For as long as I can remember, the justification for collecting Local Body Rates was so that the elected Council could provide core infrastructure that was required for the town/city in question to function.  Commonly given examples of this infrastructure are things like; Water supply, Sewerage handling, Refuse collection, Roading & Transport, etc.

Today Aucklanders have received news that despite long-term rate increases outstripping inflation by an order of magnitude (or more) the monies collected by the council are being spent on nothing of the sort.

Water supply: Nope, you'll need to pay for that separately - Watercare Services will send you a bill.
Sewerage: Nope, as above.
Refuse: Nope*, you'll need to either buy pre-paid plastic bags or hook up with a private provider - Waste Management will send you a bill.
Roads & Transport: Nope, you'll need to pay an extra levy before we can do anything for you there.

All of which begs the question...   What the hell is the $3.5bn collected by Auckland Council spent on??? 
At what point do we drop the pretence, and just acknowledge that we're living in a "User Pays" city?

* I'm speaking as a North Shore Resident...  I am aware that not all parts of the "Super" City are treated equally.