A hearing on plans to cut community boards from five to four, and members on each board from six to four, has attracted plenty of opposition in the 168 submissions received on the issue.
However, councillors may be heartened to hear there is little community appetite to cull their numbers.
The council was required under the Local Electoral Act 2001 to review representation this triennium.
The submissions were received from the public after the council earlier endorsed the recommendations of an independent panel for public consultation.
The panel had suggested reducing the number of community boards from six to five - the Strath Taieri and Mosgiel Taieri boards would be amalgamated into one Taieri Rural board.
Boards' boundaries would be adjusted so urban areas were not covered, and the number of elected members on each board would drop from six to four.
The number of city councillors would remain the same, at 14. Councillors in future would be elected at large, meaning there would no longer be wards and all councillors would be voted for by all residents at the October 2016 election.
A report to the hearings committee notes the ''great majority'' of submissions are from people and groups within community board areas.
It suggests three options for the council: the status quo; the proposals the council has endorsed; or the endorsed proposals with variations based on suggestions in the submissions.
Neither of the two chairmen of the community boards tagged for a merger were surprised by the level of support they received from the public.
Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairman Bill Feather said the outcome of the consultation vindicated the position the boards took when they presented their views to the council in June.
''It's what we're hearing on the streets - that people are happy to be represented by community boards, and that they're happy with the boundaries and the number of members per board,'' Mr Feather said.
Strath Taieri Community Board chairman Barry Williams said rural people, particularly, supported retaining the boards, and the number of members.
''I don't think I've met anyone who says you should get rid of them all.''
Mr Williams said he was ''not entirely'' confident the council would listen to submissions.
''I think there's a few of the councillors who would be happy without somebody else chewing at their heels.''
After tomorrow's hearing, the council will meet to finalise its plan on September 1, when it can amend its earlier proposal.
If no appeals or objections are received, the final proposal will go to the Local Government Commission for determination. That determination must be made by April 10, 2016.
The issues
One
Changes to community boards (fewer boards)
Support: 29
Opposition: 125
Two
Reduction in the number of community board members
Support: 36
Opposition: 118
Three
Retain 14 elected members on Dunedin City Council
Support: 117
Opposition: 33
Four
Council to be elected at large - removing ward system completely
Support: 88
Opposition: 63
