Last week, Cr Kottek said he wouldn't give the rumours "the time of day", but he was less than definitive about his plans.

"I'm here to stay till I'm not there. I can't crystal-ball-gaze into the future ... I don't think I'll retire today or tomorrow."

Asked if he had recently considered retiring, he said: "Lots of things enter your mind over a variety of days and circumstances."

Last month, Cr Kottek came under sustained fire from Labor members at a council meeting over "offensive" comments about brothels.

Earlier, he had sounded out councillors by email about contesting last month's mayoral vote, but he did not nominate. Mulgrave Ward councillor Paul Klisaris was voted mayor unanimously.

Asked what he thought of the election, Cr Kottek said: "One supports the mayor."

If Cr Kottek was to retire, just months ahead of November's council elections, it is likely that Labor member Ravi Shankar would win his seat on countback. Mr Shankar polled modestly (776 votes), but could attract the bulk of Cr Kottek's preferences compared with Monash Ratepayers Association president Jack Davis (2284) and Clayton Traders Association president Bill Pontikis (1910).