UPDATED 11.40AM: From today Auckland ratepayers will have the same rates on their valuations, but some things will take longer to streamline.

Auckland Council's new budget includes a rates rise of 2.5 percent.

But the standardisation of rates means some households face a rates hike of more than 10 percent.

Aucklanders have standard rates, fees and library hours for the very first time, but rubbish collections will remain unequal for now.

Kerbside recycling will be standardised in the middle of next year.

While northern and western residents continue to pay for rubbish collections, southern and central residents won't pay for their collections until late 2017.

The variation of rubbish collections will be reflected through a targeted rate.

The standardisation of rubbish collections will coincide with the roll-out of a food waste collection to reduce the rubbish sent to landfill.

Day of change

Today is a day of change for Auckland Council.

It's reducing spending in some areas, and looking at the option of outsourcing some services to community groups.

The council and its local boards are also signing new contracts.

From today, Franklin Sport Centre, Pukekohe Jubilee Pool and Waiuku Whiteside Pool will be managed by Belgravia Leisure.

Local board chairman Andrew Baker says the new deal with give ratepayers value for money.

“There is also a demonstrated commitment to... investment in major upgrades to the design and layout of facilities, new equipment, and programmes."

However, the council has also being told to take a good hard look at itself over today's rates hikes.

The Chamber of Commerce says the council hasn't taken a line-by-line approach to find every potential cutback.

CEO Michael Barnett says he's particularly concerned council-controlled organisations are competing with the private sector.

The dodgers keep dodging

While most Auckland households prepare for higher rates, Auckland Council continues to recoup rates which haven't been paid in the past.

The council is taking legal action against six serial rates-dodgers who have each refused to pay back more than $10,000.

Anti-rates activist Penny Bright owes the council more than $34,000 in rates on her Kingsland house.

The owner of a central city apartment owes even more -- about $41,000.