The conflict between the Mayor of Invercargill and his deputy will be debated at a special council meeting in December.
Tim Shadbolt stunned councillors at a meeting last week, announcing that he no longer wanted Neil Boniface to be his deputy, and tried to replace him with councillor Geoff Piercy.
But Mr Piercy declined, prompting an angry outburst from the mayor.
Mr Shadbolt has been in mediation with Mr Boniface this week and he has also met with each councillor individually.
The mayor says it is clear many councillors want extensive changes, and any action will be decided at the meeting on 7 December.
