With local elections looming, calls have been renewed for a cut back on the amount of councilors currently employed in Griffith City Council.
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Across the Murrumbidgee, the average councillor number fluctuates between with seven being the average for small municipalities like Murrumbidgee Council and nine for bigger regional cities like Wagga.
Meanwhile, Griffith has 12 councillors including a popularly elected mayor.
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Mayor John Dal Broi said reducing councillor numbers from 12 to nine would need to be carried by way of a referendum.
"The last time it was presented to Council was 11 December 2018 where the Council considered the motion put by Councillors Curran and Neville, however this motion was lost," Councillor Dal Broi said.
Currently, Griffith City Councillors sit at the maximum remuneration rate of $20,280 per councillor, with a cull of three councillors potentially opening up approximately $60,000 in funds for the local community.
"Personally, I feel a reduction from 12 to nine would be appropriate, however this is a decision which can only be made by the community through a referendum," Cr Dal Broi said.
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The costs associated with a referendum also become significantly cheaper if one is held in conjunction with an election, making the September local government elections an invaluable opportunity to implement change.
However, Councillor Doug Curran said another referendum was unlikely at the next election as it would require the support of current Councillors, the majority of which have voted several times to retain the current numbers.
"The belief that more councillors lightens the workload isn't the case and hasn't been for my 13 years on council," Cr Curran said.
"Griffith is one of the last councils to reduce numbers, even in comparison to councils like Wagga that are significantly larger than ours."
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