For most residents, between home and car repayments, birthdays and anniversaries, it’s not a countdown that will rate much thought until polling day.

But for the city’s current and perspective council representatives, it can’t come soon enough.

The state government’s abandoned local government mergers meant the terms of Orange, Cabonne and Blayney were all extended by a year.

By the time the September vote comes around it will have been five long years since the last election in 2012.

And while Orange City Council staff will continue the job of collecting rubbish and fixing roads – the responsibilities that most people look to their councils to fulfill – much of the energy of political parties and some plucky independent candidates will be focused on organising their campaigns to win or hold onto seats.

The Greens have not wasted any time in launching their candidates onto voters’ radars, nominating Stephen Nugent and Janelle Baylis to fill the shoes of retiring councillor Neil Jones.

The other parties, as well as independents who fancy a tilt at one of Byng Street’s 12 chairs, will undoubtedly follow suit in the coming weeks and months.

With a crowded field expected, and tickets and individuals vying for prominence in the electorate’s consciousness, there’s a chance the campaign could get somewhat ugly.

There’s already been suggestions of this, with current councillor Glenn Taylor suggesting in today’s front page story he and his fellow incumbents will come under unfair fire between now and September’s polling day.

“There is a bounty on our heads for proof of corruption before September,” Cr Taylor said in last Tuesday’s council meeting.

Some would argue any proof of corruption – regardless of its source – would be justification for heads rolling. Others see political mud-slinging as unseemly and a reason not to vote for the thrower.

The greater point is that Orange’s residents deserve elected officials who will serve the community’s interests.

Four months may not seem like much, but it’s time enough for all perspective candidates to consider whether throwing their hat into the ring would really be for the betterment of the city.