However Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said such talk "is simply untrue".
Instead, consultation was carried out over the holidays to have the adopted policy ready in time for the Long Term Plan process, as councils are required to do by legislation.
To quash rumours, the council would be extending the consultation process by nearly three weeks. It will now end on February 9, rather than January 22.
"We know we have a complicated rating system, and this is a proposal looking at simplifying our rating system and making it more fairer and more equitable for the whole community of Wairoa," Mr Little said.
"Again, this is just a proposal. These proposed changes are not about council getting more rates, council can only rate for what it needs to run the district, not make a profit.
"I can assure you, there is no devious plan to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, or try to slip this under the radar, contrary to a lot of talk around town."
Proposed changes signal some significant rate increases in Mahia, and other rural areas, while many properties in the Wairoa township have seen a 'proposed' decrease in their rates under the proposed policy.
This had caused an uproar in the small community of Mahia.
Mahia resident Bill Shortt said residents were informed they could be in line for rate increases of up to 50 per cent in the 2018-19 year.
"It's highway robbery," he said. Locals felt "very bitter" about the proposed rural increase as Mahia's infrastructure was not up to standard, and they did not use the Wairoa township's services much.
"It's just ridiculous. There's a lot of pensioners out this way, they can't afford to pay this," he said. "The rates would be so high it might force people away from here."
He challenged councillors to front at community meetings scheduled as part of the consultation - with meetings from January 29 to February 1 in Wairoa township, Raupunga, Tuai. A meeting was to be held in Mahia, however council announced it had been moved to Nuhaka as it was "a more central location for people to get to".
-The WDC proposal can be viewed at the Wairoa District Council office in Queen St, the Wairoa iSite or the Wairoa Public Library, or on wairoadc.govt.nz.