Ararat Rural City has been ordered to pay for a state government inquiry into its proposal to abolish differential rates and other governance issues.

Following what Mayor Paul Hooper and Cr Peter Beales described as a ‘damning’ report, councillors voted last week to revert to last year’s differential rates.

Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins’ office has yet to give any estimate of the inquiry’s cost, which had Frances O’Brien QC as chair and two other high-level municipal government executives as commissioners.

However, a clash between Deputy Mayor Glenda McLean and Cr Hooper during last week’s meeting gave an indication of the possible cost.

An argument broke out over whether there was a voting block of four councillors who controlled council decisions.

“In actual fact, a lot of people have said to me this month that three people run this council because when the majority had a different idea they went to the Minister and made sookies,” Cr McLean said.

“Now as a result of this, Paul Hooper has incurred a million-dollar debt for all of us.”

Cr Hooper then interjected.

“That is absolute rubbish. If anyone is going to withdraw, it will be you. In fact, I’ll put you on a code infraction for that insult,” he said.

Previously in the meeting, Cr McLean had called for the corruption watchdog to investigate Ararat Rural City.

“I joined council to reduce council’s operating costs and they have continued to increase,” she said.

“I joined council to make a difference a difference, not to stand around and get free dinners and perks. I joined council to get change and deliver what Ararat desperately needs.”

Cr McLean claimed that $35,000 was spent on Ararat’s participation in the health and fitness reality TV show ‘The Biggest Loser’ when council had only approved $15,000.

“I seek the support of Premier Daniel Andrews to call an Independent Broad-Based Anti-corruption Commission investigation of Ararat Rural City.”

Cr Hooper said Cr McLean could not go ahead as it was not relevant to the motion at hand. Cr McLean said she would move a motion at a later time.