It comes after seven councillors signed a Notice Of Motion expressing no confidence in Mayor Simon Murray, and asked him to step down as mayor, which is the only agenda item for today's extraordinary council meeting.

The employee would only speak to The Armidale Express anonymously, but we were able to confirm the person's credentials.

We were also satisfied that this person has contact with many other staff members throughout the council structure.

The employee said watching councillors squabble among themselves again was unnerving.

"I suppose the first thought was, 'Oh God, here we go again.'," the staff member said.

"There is the feeling that stability would give the council a far better chance of us getting on with doing the job.

"We certainly don't need to turn back the clock. After years of changes and challenges, I know people were really looking forward to some certainty.

"Many know only too well that we are still in drought and settling down a merged council, and this is not the time for staff to be unsure of their futures."

The employee said staff were not really happy about what was going on, and it would be better if councillors learnt from the past.

"You know, the other day I was told about 15 or 20 years ago, when the mayor of the day, Brian Chetwynd, was apparently trying to get rid of his general manager.

"I was told how staff on the old Armidale Dumaresq Council threatened to strike.

"I came away wondering if I had been sent a message."

Mayor Simon Murray said he was surprised by the employee's comments.

"But, it is what I've said. We need stability," he said.

"We've had three major CEOs in a short period."