Wanganui's public-access computer activities have been put on notice that they will have to justify their existence if they are to continue getting ratepayer funding.
The Computer Clubhouse was the centre of debate during the Wanganui District Council draft annual plan discussions this week.
Council officers asked for more than $107,000 in rates funding for the 2013-14 year. That is a 227 per cent increase from the $32,892 allocated last year.
The council runs three community-based digital programmes - Awa City Computer Clubhouse, the Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa and Computers in Homes. All of them have been funded in part from the Government's Digital Strategy.
But with that funding cut, the onus has fallen on the council.
District councillors said they wanted a greater justification for carrying on the rates funding in the coming year.
Councillor Rob Vinsen said he was concerned "when the outcomes don't match the rhetoric".
"I will accept that budget for now but in the next 12 months I'll need to see a much stronger justification for council's continuing involvement," Mr Vinsen said.
Other councillors argued that ratepayer funding was another result of central government farming out its functions to local authorities.
Councillor Michael Laws wanted to know what positive gains were emerging from the programmes.
Mr Laws said the Government had done the same with the health system and was repeating that with its digital strategy.
Mayor Annette Main said she was impressed with what was being achieved "but we've had the rug pulled out from under our feet with government funding disappearing".
"The only reason we're involved is because the Government rolled out ultra-fast broadband and then walked away from it."
Councillor Sue Westwood said the computer suites were set up as a social benefit. She believed the council could continue to run the centres but the budget needed some revision.
But Councillor Hamish McDouall said he would challenge the argument that it was a central government issue.
"This is a public issue. The Government may have created it but it doesn't end when the funding stops. We've got a responsibility to carry this on because it's helping make a connected and intelligent community," he said.
The Computer Clubhouse has around 700 members.
Councillor Jack Bullock said the clubhouse promoted training and career pathways for young people.