Cr Kat Bennett said while ratepayers would have paid the same net amount, the way council collected the money was “wrong”.

Cr Danny Lowe said council should “stand up and own” the Ombudsman report findings and move on to find the best outcome for ratepayers.

Both statements are at odds with comments made by mayor Anna Speedie both publicly and in a letter co-signed by chief executive Patience Harrington to Premier Daniel Andrews.

Cr John Watson is the only councillor who has not publicly commented.

Both Cr Lowe and Cr Bennett would not say whether they would support a motion of no confidence in the chief executive Patience Harrington or mayor Anna Speedie.

“There could be big decisions I need to make moving forward and they won’t be made in the media,” Cr Lowe said.

While Cr Bennett said she had faith in the pair, she would need to consider the information at the table and act accordingly. 

Cr Lowe said the Ombudsman’s report was a “pretty big statement”.

“I’m a big believer if you get whacked with a big stick you need to stand up, own it and move forward,” he said.

“We definitely got hit by a big stick in the report, it was probably bigger than what I anticipated but councillors were kept, within reason, up to speed along the way.”

Cr Kat Bennett said that while reading the report she experienced many “oh, shit” moments. 

“I didn’t think it was going to be that bad but it is what it is and I’m glad they stepped in and did research so they could tell what happened and be clear on what to do,” she said.

“It’s unfortunate it’s taken this long – absurd really.

“While ultimately the use of the money was for the community, they way it was collected was wrong.”

Cr Lowe would not speculate on claims the policy was deliberately implemented and continued by council staff, with Cr Bennett saying she likes to think everyone “acted in the best faith”.

Cr Lowe said he wanted to work with the community to find the best solution.

“We need to take responsibility, stand up and own it,” he said.

“We, as councillors, are going to have to make tough decisions on behalf of the community.

“Unfortunately services will have to be dropped and we have to make sure the services dropped have a minimum impact on the community at the whole.”

Cr Bennett said there were “tough decisions” ahead, but she wanted to try to remedy the situation as much as possible in the May budget.