Councillors meet on Tuesday night to decide on who will be mayor and deputy for the next 12 months, with the vote promising to be just as dramatic as it has been in the previous three years.

This time the mayoral vote has been complicated by the expected absence of Labor councillor John Murray who is on a cruise in the South Pacific.

Based on current voting patterns, there is a good chance the vote will be evenly split, with three votes for a Labor Party candidate and three for a non-Labor candidate, meaning the next mayor would be decided by a draw from a hat.

Cr Saliba confirmed she would be standing and said she "was happy to take whatever the outcome is".

"It would be very sad if it comes down to a draw out of a hat," Cr Saliba said. "I have been lobbying since day one of being elected that we should have a popularly-elected mayor and some of my colleagues have rejected that.

"We wouldn't be facing this situation right now if we had a popularly-elected mayor," she said.

Cr David Boyle confirmed his fellow Labor councillor Cr Murray would be absent and said he would be supporting Cr Saliba, who was "doing a good job".

Liberal councillor Kellie Marsh said she had "no preconceived ideas" on the vote or whether she would contest for a fourth time.

"I haven't made any decision ... I haven't even discussed it with my kids and they will be the first ones I talk to," Cr Marsh said.

Cr Paul Rankin, who stood for mayor last year before resigning from the Liberal Party, said he was too busy to stand for mayor this time, but would probably stand again for deputy mayor.

He said he could see no reason why he wouldn't vote for Cr Saliba.

"She has done a good job given the circumstances," he said.

"A lot will depend on who Helen Stewart votes for or whether she runs herself ... and whether Peter [Moran] and Kellie support Helen for mayor like they tried to last time."

Cr Moran said he would not be standing for mayor.

"It is fair to assume there will be a Labor candidate and I would probably support the non-Labor candidate given the current state of the council," Cr Moran said.

"It is possible it will be a three-all vote."

Cr Helen Stewart said a lot would depend on who stood.

"I haven't given it [standing for mayor] much thought," Cr Stewart said.

"I didn't entertain it last time.

"I believe the mayor is a spokesperson for the council and some people become mayor and think they can walk on water.

"If Kellie and Peter want to have a chat I'll talk to anybody ... I will give whatever they say serious consideration."

The mayoral vote was originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 but the meeting was rescheduled after "a technical issue" resulted in Cr Saliba making other plans.

Most of the councillors agreed to change the voting date to September 30.

Cr Saliba said had the vote gone ahead on the 23rd with herself and Cr Murray absent, then the outcome would not have been a true reflection of the position of the council.