Chillicothe Council held their final session Thursday evening, delayed from Tuesday, where they passed the city budget for 2023...but not without controversy.
Because the council clerk was out sick at the first reading of the budget...and the minutes were not ready at the second...the $75M budget remained at first reading Thursday, but needed to be passed before the start of the year.
Reverend Terry Williams, who has been critical of council, pointed out that this would be the first time in 22 years the budget would be passed on first reading.
Finance chair Tony Phillips said the budget was presented three times, though legally it remained at first reading. He said council could have squeezed in two special sessions, but there was no urging from most of the public to do so.
Phillips gave council members the opportunity to object or comment...before they passed it so that city government could continue after New Year's.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman