The former council manager touched on the issue as part of a formal submission on the city budget at a public meeting on Monday.

"The trident of good ethical government is honesty, transparency and integrity," Mr Mitchell said.

He suggested those standards were hurt by high rates, waste levy overcharging and bullying and harassment.

"Five women...have come to me and I have spoken to in the past (about bullying)," Mr Mitchell told councillors.

"I won't release their stories (but) that is of serious concern to me and it's something I wish management to address."

Former mayor John Watson responded.

"One thing we can't take into account today is the bullying aspect of (your submission)...it is new information that you've brought to us," Cr Watson said.

"That's something we'd have to take up with you, but not in this forum."

Mr Mitchell later told The Border Mail while the staff were no longer employed by the council, their bosses remained on the payroll of the organisation.

He told council that staff turnover needed tackling.

"That's a costly exercise for any organisation, so 40 per cent of staff turnover (in three years), so you're having to retrain people, bring them up to speed and there's that lag before they actually get to being productive," he said.

"I think one of the efficiencies that can be looked into is better HR management, better employee management and support to ensure there's not a high staff turnover."

The nub of Mr Mitchell's submission was that council rates are too high and there should be an average 15 per cent cut in the residential rate, equating to $300.