Tauranga City Council has copped some backlash after accepting a five-year contract for coffee machines and coffee at a total cost of $470,000.

This comes as the council proposed putting parking fees on boaties - sparking outrage from ratepayers.

Tauranga Councillor Steve Morris understands why people are outraged by this.

"Charity starts at home - and perhaps we could be charging 50 cents or even $1 per coffee from our council organisation to recoup the costs."

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