Lexington Council easily overrides mayor's vetoes over new positions

The Lexington City Council has voted to override Mayor Linda Gorton’s line-item budget vetoes. The council’s action Thursday night maintains ten additional positions in the spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

In making the ten vetoes Mayor Gorton said she couldn’t support an increase of projected revenues by $750,000. 11th District Council Member Jennifer Reynolds said the City has experienced fairly large surpluses, with subsequent spending decisions often made in the fall.

“I do not think that raising the revenue the way that we did is far-fetched at all. I think we will more than cover that. I think it was responsible.”

Reynolds said responsibilities of people in two positions will include work in the car license reading camera program. Reynolds said the mayor’s budget plan included 15 additional employees. Reynolds added the Council and mayor will continue to work together, because, quote, “that’s our job.”

Mayor Gorton didn’t attend Thursday night’s meeting. It was an already scheduled absence.

Chief Administrative Officer in the mayor’s office, Sally Hamilton called it a difference in philosophy. Hamilton said the mayor simply didn’t agree with the revenue projection of the Council.

“They have the final say on that budget and so I think it worked just the way it should work in government. Everybody could express their opinion and go on,” said Hamilton.

The vote to override the mayor’s vetoes was 11 to 2, with Council Members Fred Brown and Chuck Ellinger voting no.

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