Council economic development unit manager Pater Harris invited the economists to provide a "reality check" by delivering an overview of the economy to help councillors with upcoming decision-making.
"The economists will be presenting where they believe the New Zealand economy is heading, the implications for Dunedin, and what, if anything, they would advocate that the city council should consider in response," Mr Harris said yesterday.
The invited economists are Cameron Bagrie, chief economist of the National Bank, Kel Sanderson, chief executive of Business Economic Research Ltd, Rodney Jones, an economist with Wigram Capital Advisors, and John Allen, regional commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development.
As Dunedin heads towards a projected 69% rate rise in the next decade, councillors will for three days from tomorrow consider what items to include on the annual plan, setting a preliminary budget.
This later goes out for public consultation before a final decision is made in June, with the outcome coming into effect in July.
Mr Harris wanted councillors to understand and get opinions on forthcoming expenditure.
In the face of recession they could be approving an increase in capital expenditure, which would underpin infrastructure spending and the economy locally, or instead be considering tightening up on capital expenditure.
"We have an excellent mix of experts, and look forward to some informed and robust discussion about the economic situation and how council could respond to it," he said.
Attendance at the three-day workshop is restricted to councillors and senior council staff; however, a similar workshop would be offered to the wider business community in late February, Mr Harris said.
