Southgate is proposing a 2016 budget which will raise the levy for local purposes by 10%.
However, when that rate is combined with the county levy and the school levy, Southgate taxpayers will only see a 4.7% increase.
The public still has time to comment on the budget. Council will put it to a final vote at its next meeting on April 20.
Mayor Anna-Marie Fosbrooke suggested the budget be delayed until she could get more details.
But Councillor Dale Pallister opposed any further delay, suggesting the longer Southgate waits to pass the budget the greater disadvantage it faces for such things as putting out competitive tenders for major projects.
