This means $11,010 per councillor and an additional $24,030 for the mayor, Cr Jim Slattery.

Fees paid to councillors are set out by the Local Government Act based on the type and size of council. 

Cootamundra falls into the rural council category which enforces a wage cap between $8330 and $11,010 for councillors and $8860 and $24,030 for the mayor. 

For many years councillor fees paid in Cootamundra sat somewhere in the middle, however last year it was passed by a majority that this be lifted to the maximum allowable rate, reflecting the large amount of work councillors undertake as part of their civic duty. 

Should deputy mayor Cr Dennis Palmer step in for Cr Slattery he will be paid a pro-rata amount of the mayoral allowance. 

In total, the wages equate to a total bill to Council of $156,150.

Councillors, for their fee, are required to be on-call voice of the community. 

Each sits on various committees attached to council and represents the shire at events locally and beyond.