The draft plan for Dunedin's next financial year is almost ready for public consultation, after a lengthy meeting yesterday.
The city council's annual task of putting the draft version together is complete, the heavy 280-page document ready for printing, and the submission period about to begin.
This year's rates increase is set at 6.4%, after council deliberations in January and February, and before any tweaking following consultation.
While hearings in the past few years have been dominated by opposition to the Forsyth Barr Stadium, the key issue this year is anyone's guess, though the high debt levels the council faces will surely get a mention.
The city's built heritage, particularly in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, might also spark debate.
In his introduction to the draft plan, Mayor Dave Cull said "cutting the cloth to fit" would be the challenge for both residents and councillors.
While many projects being funded were inherited from the last council, "there is still room for this council, elected in October, to declare its priorities".
Acting chief executive Athol Stephens said the challenge in achieving efficiencies at the council was they were being sought when the community and the Government expected, and even mandated, a higher level of service.
A summary of the plan will be published in the council's City Talk magazine on the week ending March 12, with the consultation period beginning at that time.
Public hearings on the plan are due from May 4.
