She appeared before Judge Tuohy this morning where an issue relating to the full reparation of $530,628 sought was raised by defence lawyer Bill Calver.
Mr Calver said Taylor owed less because the council was provided with cleaning and transport services, albeit illegitimately, and the amount that ended up in her pocket was a "fraction" of the $530,000.
The summary of facts stated that a cleaner was identified and spoken to, admitting they were paid under the table at $14 per hour for 10 hours a week by Taylor, but they were paid far less than the council was billed for.
Gasps were heard in the public gallery as the half-million dollar amount was surfaced and discussed by council.
Crown prosecutor Steve Manning said a disputed facts hearing would be of assistance to the sentencing Judge. A hearing was directed and set for November 24 by Judge Tuohy.
The council had investigated a number of suspicious invoices from the Hawke's Bay Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Association Incorporated (Parafed HB) and identified the business address was identical to the defendant's.
Taylor had billed almost all 195 invoices for the business, dating back to 2004.
A Hastings District Council spokesperson confirmed Taylor was employed between 2001 and 2017, and spent the majority of this time in the managing role at the Hastings Sports Centre where she was responsible for running the council-owned facility.
They said the council had reviewed and introduced additional audit processes and controls as a result of the offending.
"The matter is still within the court process however council reiterates it has zero tolerance toward fraudulent use of council funds and assets."
The maximum penalty of each of the charges is seven years' imprisonment.
