FROM his pizza store, John Rye can see diagonally across to the Southern Downs Regional Council building in Warwick.

What he's seen and heard during the past nine years has spurred him into action.

The Eagle Boys Pizza franchisee is nominating as a council candidate for the March election.

Mr Rye said he believed the council needed more people with business sense.

"To me it's just getting out of hand," he said.

"People have to remember council is a big business, but in saying that, we also need people who are very community minded and understand the community's needs."

Community is at the heart of a lot of the Ryes' involvement in Warwick.

Mr Rye and his wife Robyn have been actively involved in the community through Eagle Boys.

"I've always been very community minded," he said.

"We regularly provide pizzas for not-for-profits and hand out junior encouragement awards for sports."

Mr Rye and Mrs Rye moved to Warwick 13 years ago.

Nine years ago, they took over as franchisees of the busy Eagle Boys Pizza store, achieving a number of awards in that time.

Before moving to town, the couple had a golf shop in Kingaroy.

Mr Rye said as a business owner he had a budget and had to work within financial constraints.

He compared council rates to the price of pizza.

"We can't afford to raise prices here - people can't afford it," he said.

"Any rates increase needs to be kept below the CPI rate."

The council candidate said he believed the council needs to be more efficient.

"A new group of councillors needs to be prepared to get our financials in a better state without punishing our residents and businesses," he said.

"We need to look at whether selling off our properties is the way to go or just a short-term solution.

"We need to investigate new projects, industries and tourism to increase our employment and income."

Mr Rye also set out other achievements he'd like to see from a new council, including a staff and skills audit, open and efficient communication and greater transparency.

"We really have to look after the ratepayers," he said.