Flamboyant Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer has failed to show up to an emergency council meeting held after the announcement of a public inquiry into his council.
The western Sydney council is being given two weeks to prove it should not be suspended.
The NSW government says a public inquiry will investigate allegations that a number of councillors misused their position to benefit themselves or their relatives.
Seven Auburn City councillors held an informal meeting on Thursday to discuss the inquiry.
"Mr Mehajer was coming but decided not to because he didn't want to join the unwelcome media attention to the council," Councillor Irene Simms told AAP.
She said the seven councillors unanimously agreed the council should remain in place while the investigation is conducted.
"Everyone seemed concerned ... we didn't even know this inquiry was coming, we had no warning," she said.
Ms Simms said she hoped the inquiry would come up with definitive answers.
"I just hope there's no more questions to be asked and we can get on with doing our jobs," she said.
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