Wagga mayor Greg Conkey, deputy mayor Dallas Tout re-elected for challenging year ahead

Cr Conkey and deputy mayor Dallas Tout were both re-elected at Monday night's council meeting after narrowly securing a 5-4 majority.

The incumbent leaders will hold the positions for the unprecedented fifth, and final, term of council, which came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic postponing local government elections by one year.

Cr Conkey did not deny that the pandemic has- and will continue to - cause challenges in the 12-months ahead, which will require the council to consider a whole range of activities that it provides for the community.

"There are some difficult decisions ahead - the deficit being one," he said.

"We are well placed as far as a regional city is concerned with COVID-19. We are working closely with our business community and if any city is going to bounce back the fastest, then it is going to Wagga."

Cr Tout agreed it is going to be "a full-on year" for the council as they look to "lay the groundwork" for the future councillors voted to the table at next year's election.

He said this will include progressing Bomen, the RiFL Hub and Special Activation Precinct.

"My plan for the next 12 months is to ... most importantly move as many things forward," he said.

"That can be the Special Activation Precinct with the size and scale of that to carnivals and events, even the minor things in the dollar scale, but more important on the community scale," he said.

Moving into the final term of the council, Cr Conkey assured that he was "happy to work" with all councillors who have been "pulling together on the big ticket issues".

Cr Koschel had spoken out about his concerns regarding the division within the team in the lead up to the mayoral election.

"As far as the big issues are concerned, we are united," Cr Conkey said.

Cr Koschel said that although he did not obtain enough votes to take on a leadership role, he "respects the result of the majority of councillors".

"I do look forward to working with you over the next 12-months," he said.