The mayor and Deputy Mayor Les Bunn were both appointed to the board this month.

Earlier this year, council wrote to the State Government to nominate the two councillors to replace former Mayor Ron McCulloch and Deputy Mayor Graeme Saunders.

Cr Molony has maintained that the 32 per cent increase in water costs to the Mount Isa City Council by the water board was among the contributing factors to council handing down a 17.5 per cent increase in rates.

He said if there had not been the increase in the cost of water, the rate increase would have been close to about 12.9 per cent.

And while Cr Molony said having the appointed nominees might not have changed the final price increase decision, the council would now be privy to the debates and discussion at the Water Board.

He added that he wanted to ensure water prices were kept down.

"This financial year we saw a 33 per cent increase in water prices," he said.

"That was a big concern to council because we had to then pass that on to ratepayers.

"I hope this is something I will be able to look into while I'm on the board."

While he was happy to be appointed, Cr Molony said he was concerned that it was only for a short time.

Mount Isa Water Board chief executive officer Ian Pascoe said the board would give the organisation "strategic direction".