Ararat Rural City Council will meet to decide who will lead the council for the next 12 months on On November 9.

Cr Armstrong is coming to the end of her second consecutive term as mayor, since being appointed mayor in 2019. She served her first councillor term (2016-2020) as deputy mayor to Cr Peter Beales who was elected mayor in 2018.

"I will be running for mayor again," she confirmed.

Cr Armstrong said she had high expectations for the Ararat council.

"We are working towards becoming the best council in Victoria," she said.

"Overall, Ararat Rural City has made great gains in a relatively short period of time and I am very proud of how well our councillor team is working with the CEO to become the best council in Victoria.

"It's been most rewarding to work with my fellow councillors in a respectful and productive team environment.

"We have a good mix of experience and enthusiasm.

"We understand our community, its challenges and its potential."

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Cr Armstrong said the last 12 months have been monumental for council.

"The past year as mayor has been an opportunity for me to continue to help shape Ararat Rural City Council's wholesale effort to deliver better services for people," she said.

"It is significant that our council continues to prove that asset renewal can be positively addressed, a challenge that perennially haunts rural councils.

"Equally impressive is the fact that our council has reduced rates for two years now, delivering an average zero increase to our rates budget over the past four years while at the same time improving service delivery."

Cr Armstrong said 2022 will be crucial for the growth of the Ararat region.

"The coming year brings a strategic focus on planning for our municipality's further growth and development," she said.

"We are reviewing Ararat's planning scheme and will lead circular economy policy in regard to renewables, recyclables and waste management.

"We remain focussed on facilitating and advocating for housing diversity, attracting new residents to fill job vacancies, and expanding business opportunities to strengthen our robust local economy.

"Should I be returned as mayor at next week's statutory meeting I will be making the most of the upcoming federal and state elections, working hard to secure support for community goals that benefit Ararat Rural City."

Cr Peter Beales revealed his nominations for the statutory meeting on October 9.

"I have nominated Jo Armstrong for mayor and I have nominated Bob Sanders to be deputy mayor," he said.

"Jo (Armstrong) seems to have the support of the council, I expect her to get another term.

"I learnt a lesson many years ago, never count your chickens before they hatch."

Cr Beales said he thought the time was right to step down as deputy mayor.

"It was (an easy decision), the future of the council is not me," he said.

"I didn't really want to be deputy mayor, but I understood the logic of it.

"I assumed a kind of training role, a mentor's role as I had been the mayor before Jo (Armstrong).

"The fact that we have got a pathway forward made the decision easier.

"The CEO has got the support of all of the councilors, we are kicking goals.

"You only have to look at the town to see that thing's are humming along

"When things are humming along, meetings are going well and everyone is getting on, it is a good time to step down."

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