During Tuesday's Griffith City Council meeting former councillor Bill Lancaster made a passionate case for councillors to take a pay cut when they make a decision.

"This is an issue which is important to a lot of people in view of the present economic situation," Mr Lancaster said.

"There's nothing in place next year, so, as to what you're going to be paid, there's no present determination in that respect."

Mr Lancaster cited parts of the Local Government Act which says council must pay a fee and has to fix a fee based on the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

If councils don't fix a fee according to the Tribunal there is a minimum paid to all councillors.

"If you don't fix a fee, you don't make a determination. You will only be entitled to the minimum fee next year, until of course, you do make a determination," Mr Lancaster said.

"It's in your interests, and the interests of the community to make a determination now, or if not tonight, as soon as possible.

"And when making that determination, you do have to take into account the economic situation.

"Around town there's a lot of businesses which have had to close. Some have re-opened."

Mr Lancaster highlighted athletes who had taken a pay cut, and New Zealand government MPs which had taken a 20 per cent cut.

"As a business in town, we've had quite a dramatic reduction in fees over the last couple of months," Mr Lancaster said.

"Everyone's hurting, some more than others. As leaders of the community, you should look this year, at whether you take a reduction from what you've been taking in the past.

"It would be showing that we're all in this together."

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Mr Lancaster suggested councillors accept the maximum fee available and then cut it by 20 per cent.

"Whether you say 25 or 15 per cent it's a matter for you, but at least it's something definite," he said.

"Something I'm sure you can bear."

Council's general manager Brett Stonestreet said an amendment to the Local Government Act had provided extra time for the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal to make a decision.

The Local Government (General) Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation (No.2) 2020 delayed the tribunal's decision by two months.

"In terms of the regulation, for this one year only, the remuneration tribunal has the discretion to not make a determination until the first of July," Mr Stonestreet said.

"Council will be at liberty, once that decision is made, by the remuneration tribuel to then at its earliest opportunity make a decision in respect with respect to what that remuneration tribunal has determined.

"There's nothing in the Act that requires council to make a decision by 30^th of June."

Mr Stonestreet said as soon as there was advice from the Office of Local Government, a report would be presented to council.

Councillors voted to note the report outlining the reasons for the delay of the decision from the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.