Mayor Hamish McDouall said its members needed to take the role of representing youth issues seriously.
"It's not [just] something to put on your CV," he said.
"Yes it is a personal development thing but that's not what should drive your desire to represent the youth of Whanganui.
"Not those in the best classes or the 1st XV or the school debating team, but the gritty stuff that's not very pleasant for any of us to actually imagine is happening - and it's not getting to this table.
"The colour run - nice idea - but is that really going to be addressing the substantial issue of bullying throughout our schools?"
Former youth committee member turned district councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay opposed the budget cut and said the youth committee had just regrouped following council restructuring in which it had lost its administrative support.
"If this amendment goes through then come next financial year they'll be left with having $12,000 for projects."
He agreed the committee should be attacking heavier social issues.
"But to do that they need to feel valued."
Deputy mayor Jenny Duncan said $45,000 was a drop in the ocean compared to the council's overall spend.
"The change that's being proposed is going to make zero difference in the bigger picture for anyone and everyone else but it's going to make a significant difference to the youth committee," she said.
"Council has sent a message about maybe some concerns about the cost-benefit of the youth committee but I think we've done it really poorly and as you'd expect they've strongly pushed back."
But councillor Helen Craig said the cut amounted to a technicality and it could reapply in the future for a higher budget.
"Considering they've been under spending I don't think that's a hardship. This is just a one-off thing. This is not a negative thing for them."