Dallas Tout will serve as Wagga's mayor for the next 20 months, following a big win in Monday night's vote.
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The Oura resident and experienced councillor will be joined in the leadership team by Greens councillor Jenny McKinnon, who was voted in as his deputy mayor.
Cr Tout had to face off against Labor councillor Dan Hayes for the top position, but ultimately secured the spot after receiving seven of the nine votes.
As well as his own vote, Cr Tout received the backing of councillors Georgie Davies, Richard Foley, Rod Kendall, Tim Koschel, Jenny McKinnon and Mick Henderson.
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Cr Tout was emotional as he spoke after the decision, describing it as the culmination of more than 25 years working in politics.
"It's a really passionate thing for me local government and it has been for many years," the mayor said.
"I'm just so thankful the community has elected me and the councillors have placed their faith in me to elect me as mayor."
The newly elected mayor said he would be looking to build an inclusive council and ensure all councillors have their say on the decisions made in the chamber.
Cr Hayes received votes from his fellow Labor councillor Amelia Parkins and himself, but ultimately fell short in his pursuit of the mayoral chains.
Two candidates put their name forward for the deputy mayor position, including Cr Hayes once again and first-time councillor Jenny McKinnon.
Greens representative Cr McKinnon won the tight contest for deputy mayor with five of the nine votes.
She was supported by councillors Foley, Koschel, Henderson, Tout and herself, while Cr Hayes received votes from Davies, Parkins, Kendall and himself.
Cr McKinnon said her nomination for deputy mayor was a decision she made "extremely recently" after receiving encouragement from fellow councillors.
"As it turned out, people were keen for various reasons to encourage me to go for deputy and here I am," she said.
"What I want to see is a council that is moving forward on lots of the objectives we set out in our campaigns ... but also it's a time to forge some really good relationships among all of the councillors."
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