Who will put their hand up?
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Dungog Council is poised to elect a new mayor - and discuss recruitment of a new general manager - at a meeting on Monday, March 2.
The resignation of Cr Tracy Norman from the role on February 20 in reaction to recent council decisions shocked many in the community.
But according to a council staff member there has been a "toxic atmosphere" between senior staff and some councillors, with morale low following the recent resignation of general manager Coralie Nichols.
"That (resignation) set us back when we were on an upward spiral," the staffer said.
The meeting on Monday night will see the councillors move into a confidential session to discuss options for recruiting a new general manager.
Announcing her resignation, Cr Norman took a swipe at the councillors for the "regressive pathway" their decisions were leading the council.
She said the direction the council was taking was contra to the progress made by council during her time as mayor and in partnership with the outgoing general manager."
"I remain extremely proud of all that we have achieved for council and for the community," she said.
"It is well recognised by the other levels of government and by our Hunter colleagues that Dungog is in a much stronger position than it has been for decades."
Cr Norman will stay on as a councillor until the September election.
The council's acting general manager Shaun Chandler will be the returning officer for the mayoral election.
Nominations must be made in writing by two or more councillors delivered before the meeting or just prior to the start of the meeting.
The councillors will decide if the vote is by ordinary ballot, preferential ballot, or open voting.
