The plan puts forward three options for rates in Gore, with the smallest being 9.9% and the largest 26.25%, with the middle ground being covered by accumulated debt.
The tone of the meeting was reminiscent of being handed a poisoned chalice.
Gore District Mayor Ben Bell acknowledged the difficult situation in the district.
"What lies in front of us are tough decisions for the future of Gore that will affect our district for the next few years.
"The rates increase was hard, and yet sadly, it’s not enough. We’re still running at a deficit."
The new long-term plan was about correcting the course for the district.
"[In the long-term plan] there’s no wishful thinking or fancy projects. It’s about the basics.
"It’s up to the council to present these decisions clearly and let the public decide.
"Will we make hard decisions today, for a better tomorrow?"
Gore District Council chief executive Debbie Lascelles echoed this sentiment, noting the tough economic climate but applauding staff and the council for the truncated timeline for the long-term plan.
The potential sale of assets is noted in it.
Cr Stewart MacDonnell said he was a proponent of this measure, noting several assets under the council which could be sold off.
"My preferred option is to sell assets which are under utilised or redundant.
"It creates ... cash to repay this huge debt of $60million we’re sitting on.
"Capital repayments also reduce the interest costs.
"Sale of land to residents allows us to charge them rates which gives us more income, the council no maintenance costs and less staff time."
Cr Rob McKenzie agreed with Cr MacDonnell, although he noted it was important not to rush.
"I pretty much agree ... but we don’t want to have a fire sale either.
"We need to get the best dollars we can for assets, if we are to sell them."
Deputy mayor Keith Hovell said it was time for the council to make a stand against public sentiment of irresponsible use of finances.
"It’s all well and good to say [the] council have too many staff, too many cars, but it simply isn’t the facts."
The public gallery took offence to this, with laughter and mild heckling, which continued on through Cr Andrew Fraser’s defence of the council.
One member of the public repeatedly interrupted him.
"The amount of time I’ve spent, which is a minuscule amount of time compared to what has been spent by council, and the public do not understand that," Cr Fraser said.
"We have legislative responsibilities we have to adhere to, and we have no choice.
"This is our ratepayers’, and our voters’ ... opportunity to tell us not to cut spending, wasteful spending, or perks.
"If you’re going to say perks, tell me what they are, because I must have missed that email.
"I want people in this Gore area to tell us. If you have an idea, present it. We are here to listen."
He also noted a turn in communication between the council and the public which was disappointing.
"We have had an upturn in staff abuse in this place that is unacceptable.
"I wish I hadn’t read recent Facebook comments.
"Some people need to take a hard look at themselves."
Cr Brownyn Reid said the council’s expenditure was not irresponsible on their part, but was driven mostly from central government to the tune of 88% of the budget on their directives.
"The public needs to realise we only have a 10% headroom here.
"There hasn’t been any willy-nilly spending."
Other councillors agreed, noting the difficult place the council and ratepayers were in, but encouraged submissions from the public and a dialogue to be created.
The meeting also began with a moment of silence for Ivan van de Water, who died after a plane crash in a remote part of Dingleburn Valley, north of Wanaka, on Saturday afternoon.
