After speaking with members of the Hamilton County Commission, Mayor Weston Wamp has decided to veto a resolution the panel approved last week that would have involved adding a 12th seat to the County Commission dais at a cost of about $49,000.
“Chairman (Chip) Baker and the entire commission were gracious in offering to accommodate both the larger commission and the county mayor on the dais,” Wamp said in a news release issued by his office. “After several meetings with the finance team, it’s clear we have some challenges ahead. With that in mind, I would prefer to direct the nearly $50,000 allocated for this project to more impactful priorities.”
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According to the release, the action ends the tradition of the county mayor sitting on the dais, but Wamp’s office said the change won’t have an impact on his participation during meetings.
“As an ex-officio member of the County Commission, I will regularly attend meetings and always speak to issues important to the citizens and the county,” Wamp said in the release. “My staff and I are looking forward to working with this new commission as the county faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.”