The might of the community has forced the Central Otago District Council to do a U-turn on its plan to move the Maniototo community library, despite some councillors' misgivings.
Yesterday the council considered a compromise that had been negotiated last month between councillors and the school board.
At the meeting some expressed doubts about the council's ability to keep the library at Maniototo Area School, given how much it would cost.
However, the council agreed to keep the library at its present location.
In a closed meeting on February 25 the council had decided to move the library to the Ranfurly Service Centre.
If the library was moved it would cost the council $87,000 to run but keeping the library at the school would increase that figure to $123,000, a report presented at yesterday's meeting said.
The extra costs included staff hiring and training, general oversight of the facility, technology and electricity costs.
Mayor Tony Lepper said he was disappointed it was going to cost more annually but the community preferred that location.
Cr Nigel McKinlay said he ''struggled'' with ongoing costs and did not think the council was taking a ''prudent'' long-term view of the situation.
Cr Stephen Jeffery agreed but said the community had given the council a ''clear steer''.
''That's what democratic governance is all about,'' Cr Steve Battrick said. The Maniototo community was to be congratulated on persuading the council, Cr Martin McPherson said. The council received more than 90 individual letters about the issue.
''There are people who are sitting here today who are going to make a decision based on the community response.
''But we have forgotten the fact that it's going to cost us more,'' Cr McPherson said. While moving the library would save money, they accepted the wishes of the community, councillors said.
''We have to bend to what people want us to do, but that is the business we are in,'' Mr Lepper said.
Maniototo Area School board of trustees chairman David Hutton-Atkins said the decision was ''fantastic'' and it was the outcome the community was hoping for.
''I am sure it was the outcome the Maniototo community were hoping for.''
Cr Stu Duncan said the response from the community was passionate as many families had given funds to the library.
Serious negotiations about the proposed shift went on for a few months and it had not been easy, he said.
With the exception of Cr McKinlay, councillors voted in favour of the recommendations.
The council would take ''full management'' of the library, reduce its opening hours to 11.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday and increase the level of funding in the long-term plan to meet operational costs.
A memorandum of understanding would also be signed in the interim until a tenancy agreement was signed by the school board and the council.
