There's been no shortage of angst and hand-wringing around the issue of council debt, which has been quoted as growing from $28 million to $98 million over 10 years, and is tracking towards the $120 million mark.
It's refreshing then, to see frank comment from some of our councillors - Ray Stevens and Rob Vinsen have both highlighted the need for the council to reduce its debt, with Mr Vinsen going so far as to label the council's previous attitude to the debt problem as "irresponsible".
Strong words indeed, yet for all the verbal puffery thrown in the direction of this problem, the buck will ultimately stop with ratepayers.
Eyebrows will no doubt be raised in the community over how the debt problem was able to get to this point. Thankfully, the democratic process means if there's a general consensus that Wanganui District Council's debt level acts as an indictment on the performance of our councillors, we're able to make a change in just under two years' time.
But even if the public do point the finger at councillors over the rates issue, there's likely to be widespread agreement that something needs to be done, for the council to remain economically viable.
By contrast, protecting our buildings from earthquakes is likely to be much more of a divisive issue.
As we approach the anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake, which officially claimed 182 lives, there should be no need for any reminder of the death and destruction which can befall a city with just one large tremor.
Nevertheless, some will argue that the money earmarked to upgrade some of our buildings could be better spent elsewhere, and that the council is simply insuring against a very unlikely scenario.
More vocal are those advocating for the protection of, in particular, the city's heritage buildings.
Now it's time to see if they're prepared to put their money where their mouth is.
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