Albury Council chief executive Frank Zaknich contract extension request decided Monday night

Mr Zaknich is seeking re-appointment after being in the most senior staff role in the city since 2013 when he was recruited on an initial four-year deal.

His fate will be determined in a behind closed doors session of council tonight after the matter was brought forward from an original timeline of being dealt with no later than June 7.

Councillors are wary of publicly commenting on the chief executive vote, citing the 2005 example of then mayor Arthur Frauenfelder personally supporting Mark Henderson to stay on in the role.

Les Tomich was subsequently appointed to the top job and remained in the role until resigning due to health concerns.

Mr Zaknich was appointed Mr Tomich's permanent replacement after former planning director Michael Keys was the acting general manager in the latter's absence.

Mr Keys left Albury for a director position at Wagga Council.

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The extension in the role comes in the same year councillors are up for re-election after local government elections were postponed 12 months due to COVID-19.

Mr Zaknich had his contract extended by 18 months in 2019 on a 5-4 vote of council with those who voted against the length of tenure, Cr Henk van de Ven, Cr David Thurley, Cr Alice Glachan and Cr Graham Docksey, wanting their votes publicly recorded.

Mayor Kevin Mack, deputy mayor Amanda Cohn and Cr Murray King supported the length of tenure moved by Cr Darren Cameron and seconded by Cr John Stuchbery.

Monday night's vote is tipped to be similarly close.

The CEO appointment has to be determined within six months of their existing contract expiring.

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