One draft option from an Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal report presented to the NSW Electoral Commission would see councils forced to contribute 62 per cent more of the cost of electing councillors in 2020.

Wagga City Council corporate services director Natalie Te Pohe said the 2016 election cost the council just under $319,000, but under the draft proposal the next ballot would cost more than $517,000.

"Council sets aside funds each year into a council election reserve based upon previous charges and allowing for a nominal increase," she said.

"Therefore, any increase over and above the amount held within in the reserve would need to be considered in light of council's overall delivery program to the community."

Ms Natalie Te Pohe said the council election reserve would hold an estimated $371,403 at the end of the current financial year, which suggests a $146,000 shortfall for the proposed costs of the next election.

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey has previously accused the state government of placing a $3.4 million burden per year on the city's budget through "cost shifting" across a range of service areas.

Local Government NSW president Linda Scott said increased election costs would result in cutbacks to other areas.

"Councils in NSW are supporting their communities through drought in our regions alongside unprecedented population growth in our cities," Cr Scott said.

"IPART says increasing the amount charged by the Electoral Commission to run council elections will save money for the taxpayer, However, the reality is communities will simply receive fewer government services and less critical infrastructure as prices rise."

IPART chairman Paul Paterson said the review has recommended supporting reforms that would give councils more choice in running elections.

"We are proposing a pricing approach ... aimed at enhancing the scope for competition in the supply of election services, which over time has the potential to increase innovation, provide councils with more choice and reduce costs," he said.