A total of 552 submissions from the public, organisations and businesses were made to the council, a report to councillors said.
The council presented three options for rates rises — 19%, 27% and 45% — during consultation.
More than half of respondents did not pick an option, the report said.
Of these, just under a-third offered what the council described as a ‘‘constructive’’ alternative figure, while two-thirds offered no alternative, according to the report.
Alternative figures included a rates rise linked to the rate of inflation and 9%, a council option excluded from the public consultation.
Reasons cited for not picking an option included wanting the council to cut costs first, distrusting the council and the proposed rates increases being too high, the report prepared for today’s meeting to consider the submissions states.
A-third of the public opted for the 19% option.
One in 10 people went for the 27% option.
And just 26 members of the public (4.7%) opted for the highest 45% rate.
A 19% rise would reduce the council’s $14 million deficit somewhat, while 27% would account for inflationary pressures such as fuel prices and 45% would balance the books, the council has said.
A two-week consultation was held regarding the three options.
More than 650 residents came to three community meetings, the vast majority (more than 540) to a meeting at the Opera House in Oamaru, while 47 residents turned out to the Otematata Community Hall and 63 were at the Palmerston Sports Hall.
