Dunedin ratepayers will have to wait another week before they get some idea of the rates increase for the year, but the percentage appears to have gone up, rather than down.
Mayor Dave Cull put the final item on the agenda for this year's draft annual plan meetings off until next Monday, after yesterday's meeting dragged on until after 8pm.
That item would have included the final calculation of the increase.
The meeting, on a day set aside should the debate exceed the two days originally rostered - which it did - still did not get through all the business on the agenda.
Mr Cull said last night there were a "considerable" number of reports ordered for the meetings.
"Just the sheer volume of paper work was greater" this year, he said, on some "meaty subjects".
There were murmurings yesterday among some staff and councillors that debates were left to drag on too long.
However, Mr Cull said he was determined discussions not be cut short.
"That would lead to flawed decision-making."
Earlier in the day, a 6.1% draft rates rise had risen to 6.4%, and there were further increases in spending mooted later in the day.
That leaves just next Monday's meeting to contain the increase before the draft annual plan goes out for public consultation.
