The push to pause discussion on the draft budget was instigated by Cr Olga Quilty and supported by Cr Ron Mildren and Cr Libby Hall, but opposed by Cr Graeme Simpfendorfer, Cr John Watson and Cr Poulton with Cr Kat Bennett still on leave of absence.

Cr Quilty said councillors had not been afforded sufficient input into the compilation of the draft budget due to constraints put in place by recent changes to the Local Government Act.

"It is only fair each and every councillor gets a meaningful opportunity to debate specific items sought to be introduced or removed from the budget," Cr Quilty said.

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Cr Mildren disputed other councillor views that sufficient opportunities had been given to have input into the budget during workshops.

"It is one thing to ask questions in a workshop, but the Act explicitly doesn't allow decisions to be made or officers to be influenced by councillor requests," he said.

"It must not happen and we know that and it is very clear under the legislation."

Cr Watson slammed the move to adjourn the budget item.

"We had a briefing this morning that three councillors were absent from," he said.

"Unfortunately we've been hit with a sledge hammer at the last hour.

"I believed everyone was happy with what was occurring."

Cr Hall said in the previous term councillors had far more input and she felt it was a draft budget belonging to chief executive Mark Dixon and senior management.

"This time around I felt we've had nothing. I went to all the councillor workshops bar one and ultimately I would have liked to pull some stuff out, but we weren't in a position to do that," she said.

"We're left with a council meeting to address those issues."

Cr Mildren called a point of order when council's finance and systems director Narelle Klein told the meeting there were "plenty of opportunities for councillors to ask questions, ask for things to be modelled up, asking for councillor input on many occasions".

"The first part about asking questions is correct, but the bit about councillors individually asking for something to be modelled up or councillors collectively making a decision in a briefing or workshop is in breach of the Act," he said.

"Councillors cannot direct or influence staff in the preparation of a budget or any report and cannot make decisions outside of monthly formal council meetings."

The draft budget eventually voted on included a 1.5 per cent rate rise in line with the Victorian Government rate cap after a zero rate rise last year.

Council is forecasting a surplus of $8.9 million in the upcoming financial year.

The draft budget includes another $5.2 million for Baranduda Fields sporting complex after works were delayed with the discovery of the endangered Sloanes Froglet at the site, $6.5 million to purchase the council depot site in Kendall Street and $600,000 for the extension of South Street which brings the long term future of the Wodonga Brass Band hall back into focus.

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