Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock said the state's councils will only pay the direct costs incurred by the Electoral Commission in holding elections such as polling booth staff and venues and ballot paper printing.

"The cost per elector for the next local government elections will be $8.21, compared to $12.72 if no Government funding contribution was provided," she said.

"We are committed to minimising the financial burden on councils and ensuring elections are held efficiently and cost effectively."

A review of local government election costs by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal in August revealed that the price of democracy in Wagga had increased by $156,000 since the 2016 elections.

The last election had cost Wagga Council $319,000.

The bill is predicted to increase to $475,000 at next year's election, however the state government has promised to foot $118,000 of the bill.

Therefore, the council's election bill for 2020 has been estimated to come to a total cost of $358,000.

Wagga councillor Rod Kendall said the cost of local government elections are expensive and state government funding is required to help support the democratic process.

"It is essential that we have well run elections because it is an important part of democracy," he said.

"But, the cost of elections has been rising and becoming difficult for local government to afford. Any subsidies are appreciated, which allows the council to do other things with the money."