The first candidate for the 2020 council elections

He is the first person to announce their intention to run for the 2020 local government election.

The official list of candidates will not be announced until closer to the election.

Deputy mayor John Searl is currently the only representative on the council from the Gunning and Dalton area.

There are no wards in the Upper Lachlan Shire local government area.

Mr Douglas said there should still be an even spread of delegates.

He said there was at least two more positions which could be filled by councillors in the villages.

"It'd be great to see younger voices on the council as well as those from the northern and southern parts of the Shire being better represented," Mr Douglas said.

He advised people thinking of running for a position to go to a council meeting: "Have a look at what the council does and see what you can add."

Mr Douglas has a special interest in better accessibility to council, improved public places, young people and a council that is future-ready. He also wants to see priority roads fixed.

There are nearly 1400 councillors across 128 local councils in NSW, with women representing a minority. Pam Kensit is the only current female councillor, but at least two women have shown their interest for 2020.

Ratepayers may be slugged with additional costs for council elections if the state government don't reject a recommendation by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

The draft report recommends that the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) reduce its operating costs by $2.6 million for the 2020 local government elections.

The savings would mean raising the bills for local councils for the NSWEC to provide election services. The average price hike is 62 per cent more than elections in 2016-17.

"The last local government election, held in 2016, was administered by NSWEC. The cost to Upper Lachlan Shire Council was $57,000," ULSC acting general manager Andrew Croke said. However, would not speculate on the cost in 2020.

"The council will receive cost estimates once voting booth locations, a pre-poll voting location and advertising expenses are confirmed. This will occur closer to the election," he said.

IPART chair Doctor Paul Paterson said the new prices would better reflect the services, increase competition for election services which over time will provide councils with more choice.

"Councils have had the option of using private providers since 2011 and can also choose to administer their own elections," Dr Paterson said.

"We are proposing a pricing approach and other measures that are aimed at enhancing the scope for competition in the supply of election services, which over time has the potential to increase innovation, provide councils with more choice and reduce costs."

Local Government NSW - the peak body representing council has urged the recommendation to be rejected by the state government.

A final report will be given to the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock on August 30.

More than 40 per cent of ratepayers live permanently outside of the Upper Lachlan Shire, but are still eligible to vote in the 2020 local government election.

The NSW Electoral Commission shows that when people enrol to vote they are automatically included in the residential roll for the ward or council area they live. Eligible non-residents in a ward or council area are owners of rateable land or an occupier or rate-paying lessee of rateable land.