After 50 hours of annual plan meetings, the Dunedin City Council managed to come home with a slightly reduced rate increase for the next financial year of 6.9%, down from an expected 7.8%.
The council was able to do that after nearly $1.3 million was cut from roading budgets because of a downward revision of the construction cost index.
That lowered the increase to 6.3%, but some extra grants and spending pushed the final figure up.
The decisions made yesterday will now go to a June 2 meeting for further discussion, and a June 22 meeting, where rates will be finally set.
