Central Coast Council Administrator Ian Reynolds packing his bags after ‘building solid foundation’

THE Castle Hill-based local-government veteran, parachuted in to oversee council mergers on the ­Central Coast, has reflected on his many “achievements” at the helm since May 12 last year.

Sydneysider Ian Reynolds has racked up a huge accommodation bill at ratepayers’ expense while running Central Coast Council. The full extent of his other expenses are set to be revealed later this year.

THE Castle Hill-based local-government veteran, parachuted in to oversee council mergers on the ­Central Coast, has reflected on his many “achievements” at the helm since May 12 last year.

Administrator Ian Rey­nolds presented his final report at the council’s meeting last week, talking up how he had helped “build a solid foundation” since he became mayor and councillors all rolled into one.

Mr Reynolds was appointed by the State Government on a $320,000-a-year salary and has been staying at luxurious Magenta – at ratepayers’ expense – over the past 14 months. His total accommodation bill so far totals around $35,000.

Ian Reynolds, pictured alongside CEO Rob Noble (who is also set to bow out and return to Queensland), says he has presided over many achievements during his time as Administrator at Central Coast Council.

His other expenses are unknown at this stage. Both council and other government departments have rejected requests for the full details to be released.

A council spokeswoman said ratepayers would have to wait for Mr Reynolds’ ­expenses to be revealed in a report later this year.

Mr Reynolds counts the “good governance arrangements in place across council, the fully funded record capital works program rolling out across the Central Coast and the enhanced service delivery and community infrastructure delivered by staff” among the highlights of his tenure.

“The priority of this ­administration period has been to build a solid foundation for the newly elected council and I believe that has been achieved,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Both former councils did almost everything differently and there are currently over 150 internal projects under way to bring processes and systems together. The community can have confidence council’s finances are sound and strong.”

Mr Reynolds will hand over the reins at the first meeting of the new council later this month.