The mayor of Ballarat Cr Ben Taylor is hoping to combine his current job with his new civic duties.
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Cr Taylor, who conducted his first ordinary council meeting wearing the mayoral chain on Wednesday, confirmed to The Courier that he is in talks with his workplace. He said he was looking into ways to adjust his working arrangements to fit around his responsibilities as mayor.
A business development manager at a software firm in Alfredton, Cr Taylor said that he hoped it would be possible to manage both roles.
"We have to have a respectful conversation on what can and can't work and make that decision from there," he said.
Let's be honest, I had two votes when we started this process. Anything could have happened
- Ballarat Mayor Cr Ben Taylor
"If it's not workable then I would be the first one to put my hand up and say so."
While former mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh took leave from her job in real estate, several previous mayors have also balanced the role with other work.
John Burt worked as a principal while he was in the position in 2012/13 and his direct predecessor and current councillor Mark Harris combined out part-time responsibilities as a doctor when he was in the role in 2011/12.
"If you have professional politicians, even as mayor, I am not sure it's the best thing for the role," Cr Harris told The Courier.
Former mayor Cr Des Hudson - who took long-service leave from his police officer job in 2015/16 - said it was important to remember that the position was for a short time only. He said he believed the mayoral role could be combined with other work with the right civic support.
"You are not totally occupied 100 per cent of the time," he said. "The term of mayor is only for 12 months. You have to think what's best for your family."
READ MORE: Who is the new mayor of our city?
Cr Taylor meanwhile said that there was no way detailed negotiations could take place with his workplace until his election as mayor was confirmed.
"Let's be honest, I had two votes when we started this process," he said. "Anything could have happened."
In the City of Ballarat's latest annual report the annual mayoral allowance is listed as $106,972.92, with councillors' standing at $33,490.74. The figures also include superannuation.
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