The Gore District Council will decide next week whether to receive a petition signed by more than 4800 people and the mayor is poised to preside over the discussion at the council meeting but steer clear of offering his own commentary.
The working relationship between Mr Bell and council chief executive Stephen Parry broke down last year and the council has decided there should be an independent review to restore confidence in the organisation.
There has been strong public backing for the mayor.
The Otago Daily Times asked Mr Bell how he intended to manage discussion of the petition, because it appeared he might be restricted by meeting rules, or standing orders.
"My intention is to open the agenda item containing the petition like any other item and then verbally present our legal advice," Mr Bell said.
"I personally won't be talking any further on the item, nor will I ask any questions of staff."
Councillors would be free to discuss whether the petition should be accepted.
"Regarding my interpretation of standing orders, I believe the intention of [clause] 17.3 is to restrict the elected member from speaking on behalf of the petitioner . . . but does not restrict the member from being involved in debate."
Many people who signed the petition were not from Gore.
At least 9% were from Gore, 12% were from Southland, 46% from the rest of New Zealand and 29% did not state a location, a report by council staff said.
Someone called "Steve Parry" was one of 10 people who signed the petition twice.
Mr Bell (24) was set to face a vote of no-confidence from councillors last month, but they backed out of it after a public backlash and national media scrutiny.
Support for the petition indicated significant public dissatisfaction with the council and the chief executive it has employed for the past two decades.
The staff report was prepared by community lifestyle services general manager Rex Capil.
It did not offer a recommendation on whether the council should receive the petition, but there were indications accepting it could put the council in an awkward position.
Councillors would need to consider the petition's credibility and "legality in terms of fulfilling its stated purpose".
The council decided unanimously on May 3 it had "full confidence in the chief executive and staff in providing for the ongoing functioning of the council in undertaking its day-to-day activities".
Themes were clear among the 447 people who signed the petition and who stated they were from Gore.
"Mr Parry needs to step back and let Mr Bell get on with what he was elected to do," Shirley Sheridan said.
Lesley Casey said Gore councillors needed to "grow up and stop acting like entitled bullies in the school yard".
