But what are the actual figures?

It's true that money talks, and The Area News sat down to look at how much money Griffith pays per capita for their councillors and mayor in 2019, in comparison to other Local Government Areas (LGAs) both neighbouring and those of a similar size.

The spend per person is $10.55 on councillor wages. This is with 12 councillors paid the maximum allowance of $19,790 each, with Cr John Dal Broi paid an extra $43,170 fee for his mayoral duties.

These councillor and mayoral fees are the same as those paid out in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Dubbo and Armidale.

However Wagga Wagga residents are only spending $3.44 this year with nine councillors. Albury spends $4.17 also with nine councillors, with Dubbo's cost sitting at $4.62 with 10 councillors and Armidale at $8.70 with 11.

Those in the Murrumbidgee Council area fork out $33.55 for their nine representatives, despite their councillor and mayoral wages sitting at $11,860 with an extra $25,880 for the mayor.

Compared to other councils classified as a regional town/city like Wagga and Albury, Griffith has the highest spend on councillor wages - a total of $280,650 for 2019.

With three councillors less, Wagga and Albury's wages are whopping $59,370 cheaper than Griffith City Council's.

Bill Lancaster, candidate in the upcoming byelection, has been loudly advocating for the people of Griffith to have the chance to vote on councillor numbers.

He says the comparison between other LGAs makes it clear Griffith could function "perfectly well" if not better, with less councillors.

His personal opinion is seven or nine councillors would be optimum, however stresses the decision needs to be made by the Griffith community themselves. 

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It would cost roughly $150,000 to hold a stand-alone referendum, or only $20,000 to 30,000 to have in conjunction with an election or byelection.

"Council have missed a golden opportunity with this byelection, because now we have to wait until 2020," Mr Lancaster said.

A referendum on the issue was held in 2006, however he said the "ambiguous" questions and the change in times meant it was "well and truly" time for another.

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