In a meeting brief in duration, but high on intrigue, Cr Poulton beat Cr Ron Mildren for the mayor role 4-3 after the other nomination and highly fancied contender, Cr John Watson withdrew when he felt he couldn't secure the numbers to return to the role he held nearly 20 years ago.

Cr Watson was also nominated for mayor by Cr Mildren and easily could have become mayor with the backing of Cr Libby Hall, Cr Olga Quilty and Cr Mildren.

But he still opted out of the race and voted for Cr Poulton with Cr Kat Bennett and Cr Graeme Simpfendorfer.

"After the close of the poll my fellow councillors have known my wish to stand," Cr Watson said.

"I simply didn't have the numbers and hence we need seven councillors working together for the betterment of our community and our staff."

IN OTHER NEWS

Cr Poulton will follow in the footsteps of Mark Byatt in becoming Wodonga mayor in his first year on council.

But he will face an election in 12 months with councillors deciding on a one-year term rather than the two years of the previous council.

There will be no deputy mayor in the absence of any nominations for the role.

Cr Poulton becomes the latest Wodonga mayor with strong links to the Albury-Wodonga Community College where former mayor Rod Wangman is still chief executive and his successor as mayor for the last five years, Anna Speedie, being a previous employee.

Cr Poulton, who decided to successfully contest the Wodonga election rather than wait less than wait 12 months to run in his home city, is chairman of the AWCC board of directors.

He played down suggestions of obvious early divisions in the ranks.

"I am very honoured to be entrusted by my fellow councillors to guide the city forward," he said.

"From what I've seen over the past two weeks, all fair and reasonable characters sit in that council chamber."

Cr Mildren said an experienced councillor as mayor would better serve ratepayers.

"Hence the reason I also moved Cr Watson be in the role," he said.

."It's not because others aren't capable, but it's because there is an awful lot to learn in the first 12 months."