After a lengthy process, the Tararua District Council's Long Term Plan will now go to Audit New Zealand for review, before being adopted and the rates set for next year.
"What effect do you think these changes to the LTP will have on rates?" deputy mayor Allan Benbow asked the council's finance team.
Raj Suppiah, council's chief financial officer, said the changes councillors have made to the LTP mean rating changes would be minor.
"The rate struck aligns to a 3.5 per cent increase and the only significant change to our plans is the reseal extension, but we may be able to accommodate that," he said.
Council chief executive Blair King asked if council could work on a half a per cent increase as a result of the LTP changes.