Snookered?

Have we been snookered again? City Killer Miller and the gang have reduced the planned permit fee increases after huge complaining by residents. The treasurer Pencilitis has cooked the books a bit and surprisingly so much wasn't needed after all.

Seems to be a regular occurrence that this city hall horde comes up with a need for some huge increase and after an uproar reduce it or change it slightly and all of a sudden we suckers accept it. Look at the land tax grab or the water rate increases.

I wonder if someone at City Hall is really bright enough to scheme like that - doesn't look like it would be any councillors - so who's the Machiavelli?