A municipal monitor is responsible for monitoring council governance processes and practices, advising councils about possible governance improvements and reports to Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins.

President Brian Kelson said there had been some tenders recently which had ended up costing the council more than previously expected. He said it was all ratepayers hard-earned money that was "going up in smoke".

"We are not seeing any value for it," he said. "I want a monitor put in place to oversee the day-to-day running of the council. That doesn’t hinder in any way, shape or form the rightful councillors that have been put into place to be a voice for us. It's a win-win situation. If everything is being done accordingly and with good governance, there is nothing to worry about.”

Mr Kelson said there should also be an audit into the council.

"The other thing that should be done is a forensic audit prior to the new incoming chief executive officer so that everyone is on a flat playing surface and we can bring this city forward in the coming years,” he said.

Warrnambool City Council chief executive officer Bruce Anson said a monitor’s wage would be another cost for ratepayers. It is estimated it would be more than $100,000 a year.

“Who would pay for it? What will it cost?,” he asked.​ “The council would have to pay, and that’s ratepayers money. We already have the local government inspectorate, we have the ombudsman, Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the auditor general and the Minister for Local Government. We have plenty of scrutiny on our processes as well as freedom of information and Privacy Victoria. I'm sure he has a reason why the ratepayers should pay for this additional cost but I'm not sure what it is. Would the ratepayers association pay for it?”

Mr Kelson said he believed the costs of a monitor would pay for itself through efficiencies. 

“In other places the savings are quite extraordinary,” he said. “The monitor would be paid out of efficiencies that they can create.The council has never tried to find efficiencies and this is why we find ourselves in the position we are today.”