Rumour that there may be an attempt to derail his choice of a deputy has been called "divisive" by Whanganui's mayor-elect Hamish McDouall.
The Chronicle has been told from sources close to some councillors that there could be a bid to toss out Mr McDouall's nomination.
The new mayor and councillors will be sworn in next Wednesday afternoon.
Under the Local Government Act, the appointment of a deputy-mayor is one of the statutory powers of a mayor.
Mr McDouall said there is a loophole in the Act outlining a process by which a majority of council can remove a deputy from office.
"I would be very disappointed if some councillors chose to ignore my clear democratic mandate - almost 3000 votes - to exercise a statutory power," he told the Chronicle.