"The voting of my colleagues was eye-opening, to say the least," Cr Brent Weatherall said.
The council decided last week during a closed meeting to offer chief executive Sandy Graham a one-year extension on her contract.
It was announced last Friday Ms Graham had accepted the offer.
What was not disclosed was how councillors voted, and there was no change to that yesterday.
The council favoured a one-year contract starting in October, rather than a contract extension of two years or moving immediately to advertise the position.
The Otago Daily Times asked councillors if limited access or lack of access to possibly relevant information - in reports by Deloitte and King’s Counsel Maria Dew - prompted them to consider abstaining from chief executive contract-extension votes.
Cr Weatherall said he found the decision-making process relating to the contract illuminating.
Cr Weatherall said he did not consider opinions "offered to me from uninformed individuals or groups" before voting.
Ms Graham secured a five-year contract in 2020.
The council had to decide before the term was up whether it would advertise the position or offer Ms Graham an extension of up to two years.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said Ms Graham was taking up a 12-month contract based on the same terms and conditions as her existing contract. This would run until October next year.
Mr Radich confirmed the role would be advertised next year, as required by law. He has not said why the extension was for one year, instead of two.
Cr Lee Vandervis provided comment about the extent to which matters should be kept confidential.
There were good reasons for chief executive employment debates to be held behind closed doors, as personal and sensitive information was being discussed, he said.
Cr Vandervis acknowledged strong public interest in how elected representatives voted on motions regarding chief executive contracts, but noted context was lacking when video footage could not be available.
"Just knowing who voted for what invites ill-informed public condemnation or praise for how votes are cast," he said.
In practice, some votes in the past had been leaked and this could be damaging, he said.
The ODT asked councillors if Ms Graham should have been offered two years, why a one-year extension was the best option and whether the position should instead have been advertised.
Cr Bill Acklin said councillors could not breach their obligation to confidentiality.
"This obligation is part of the oath elected members take when they are sworn in to the role of city councillor," he said.
The Deloitte investigation is understood to have related to financial and reporting practices at the council, including communication with councillors.
Elected representatives have not had access to the report, but the council has said no financial irregularities were established.
Ms Dew’s report followed a complaint about alleged bullying by Ms Graham.
The council has not said whether allegations were substantiated and most councillors have not seen Ms Dew’s report.
Cr Carmen Houlahan said last week she was delighted Ms Graham accepted the council’s offer.
"We are lucky to have her."
