Alderman Sands is the second person to announce they will contest the city’s top job, after Alderman Hugh McKenzie did so in July.

As many as five people may be vying to become mayor in next month’s local government elections. Alderman Sands was first elected to council in 1999, served until 2002 and was re-elected in 2005.

He last ran for mayor in 2009.

Alderman Sands is a returned naval serviceman from the Vietnam War, Tasmania Police detective and security consultant, and in retirement volunteers for a number of organisations including Meals on Wheels.

‘‘I’m running because I believe we need some direct leadership, a person who can make the difficult decisions,’’ Alderman Sands said.

‘‘We need to have a person to overcome the ineffectiveness that is quite obvious in council.’’ 

Alderman Sands said his top priorities would be to address the council’s operational deficit of $4.2 million, alter the tender process to allow more businesses  a shot at getting contracts and push for the upgrade of the Ti Tree Bend Sewage Treatment Plant.

He said the e-planning approval process was good but could be improved to have more determined with 42 days.

‘‘I believe this city council can work faster, not necessarily harder and we can make greater efficiencies – we need to be positioning ourselves for what we can do and driving in that direction,’’ he said.