It will be the first step in a decision about whether Jennifer Alden will get a second term, which could become clear on November 9 at a specially convened public meeting.

Most Bendigo mayors and their deputies have served one year at a time but councils can vote to make them longer under state legislation.

It could bring greater certainty to council policies but would also make it harder for other councillors to make changes should they deem it necessary.

Bendigo mayors have a few formal powers but their influence often plays out away from the public council meetings where many key decisions are made.

They are expected to be the public face of the council and to be a leader among their fellow elected officials.

Bendigo's councillors have experimented with new approaches to mayoral terms in recent years.

Current councillor Margaret O'Rourke was elected mayor for an unprecedented four consecutive terms between 2016 and 2020.

Before that, no one official held the job for more than a year at a time, even if some have had multiple stints in the top job.

Current councillor Rod Fyffe has served as mayor four times.

He was elected by fellow councillors to the post in 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2015.

No other current councillors have been mayor of Bendigo.

Bendigo's current deputy mayor is Andrea Metcalf, who is serving her first term in that role.

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