She has proposed changing the Dunedin City Council’s traditional committee structure and bringing in a portfolio model for councillors to "champion" key issues.
There would also be a flat pay structure for councillors.
The proposed changes are due to be adopted on Tuesday.
"My intent is to strengthen council’s governance and strategic focus, provide greater clarity on how we operate, and ensure all elected members can contribute meaningfully to the leadership of our city," Ms Barker said.
"I want to elevate our governance approach — focusing on strategy, oversight, and council performance rather than operational matters."
Council meetings would be held more frequently and all councillors would be members of two committees — policy and planning, and finance and performance.
Te Pae Māori would be elevated to a formal standing committee, and the others would be the hearings committee — to be chaired by Cr Lucas — the chief executive performance and employment committee and the audit, risk and assurance committee.
The latter would have independent appointee Warren Allen as its chairman.
Gone would be committees such as infrastructure services, economic development and civic affairs.
This left no room for some councillors to pick up chairing roles.
They might instead have influence through the portfolio system.
Ms Barker said this would provide focused advocacy, enhanced engagement with community partners and would foster leadership development for councillors.
Former mayor Jules Radich would be the infrastructure portfolio lead and Cr Lee Vandervis the portfolio deputy.
Cr Vandervis said he and Cr Simms were by far the two highest-polling councillors — as well as being mayoral challengers — but they had been assigned deputy portfolio positions.
This "indicates Mayor Barker’s insecurity and need to suppress", he said.
Cr Marie Laufiso would be the lead for Hau Ora health and wellbeing, supported by Cr John Chambers.
Cr Steve Walker would head up environment and youth and Cr Mickey Treadwell would be the portfolio deputy.
Culture and arts would be led by Cr Christine Garey.
Cr Mandy Mayhem would be the deputy.
Cr Doug Hall would lead the technology portfolio, supported by Cr Benedict Ong.
Portfolio councillors would be expected to provide leadership, champion the council’s strategic priorities, maintain awareness of relevant issues and act as a liaison between the council, staff and community, terms of reference said.
Ms Barker said she proposed flat remuneration across councillors "to reflect the balanced distribution of responsibilities and uphold the principle of equity across the council table".
On Tuesday, the council will be asked to approve annual remuneration of $145,008 for the deputy mayor.
The proposed annual remuneration for each of the other councillors is $99,340.
The mayor’s pay is decided separately by the Remuneration Authority.
Representation responsibilities
Dunedin’s councillors have been allocated representation responsibilities across 39 outside organisations, subject to city council approval.
Tasks will range from deciding on alcohol licence applications to considering heritage fund applications.
Proposed appointments are due to be approved on Tuesday.
Councillor appointments to outside organisations —
Creative Dunedin Partnership: Cr Christine Garey. Disability Issues Advisory Group: Cr Mandy Mayhem. District Licensing Committee: Cr Doug Hall, Cr Lee Vandervis. Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group: Cr Marie Laufiso. Dunedin Chinese Garden Advisory Board: Cr Jules Radich. Dunedin Edinburgh Sister City Society: Cr Steve Walker. Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust: Cr Mayhem. Dunedin Heritage Fund: mayor Sophie Barker, Cr Andrew Simms, Cr Vandervis, Cr Walker. Dunedin Otaru Sister City Society: Cr Mickey Treadwell. Dunedin Public Art Gallery Acquisitions Committee: Cr Radich, Cr Walker. Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society: Cr Hall, Cr Radich, Cr Brent Weatherall. Dunedin Former Refugee Steering Committee: Cr Laufiso. Dunedin Shanghai Association (Sister City Society): deputy mayor Cherry Lucas. Grow Dunedin Partnership: Ms Barker. Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust: Cr John Chambers, Cr Walker. Heritage Advisory Group: Ms Barker, Cr Russell Lund, Cr Simms. Ice Sports Dunedin Incorporated: Cr Treadwell. Keep Dunedin Beautiful: Cr Mayhem, Cr Weatherall. Local Government New Zealand (Zone 6): Ms Barker, Cr Lucas. NZ Masters Games Trust Board: Cr Walker. Okia Reserve Management Committee: Cr Chambers, Cr Vandervis. Tūhura Otago Museum Trust Board: Cr Lucas, Cr Simms. Otago Regional Transport Committee: Cr Walker. Otago Settlers Association: Cr Benedict Ong. Otago Theatre Trust: Cr Lund. Ōtepoti Dunedin Destination Management Plan Advisory Panel: Ms Barker, Cr Lucas. Ōtepoti Dunedin Live Music Advisory Panel: Cr Walker, Cr Treadwell. Performing Arts Advisory Group: Cr Garey, Cr Mayhem. Predator Free Dunedin: Cr Walker. Puketai Residential Centre Liaison Committee: Cr Laufiso. Social Wellbeing Advisory Group: Cr Laufiso, Cr Mayhem. Sophia Charter: Cr Garey. St Paul's Cathedral Foundation: Cr Garey. Te Ao Tūroa Partnership: Cr Treadwell. Taieri Airport Trust: Cr Lucas, Cr Simms. Tertiary Precinct Planning Group: Ms Barker, Cr Lucas. Te Poāri a Pukekura: Cr Lucas. Theomin Gallery Management Committee (Olveston): Cr Garey, Cr Radich. Toitū Otago Settlers Museum Board: Cr Hall, Cr Ong, Cr Weatherall.
— Allied Media
