That includes its fire, police and public works departments, alongside medical responders.
That comes after a lengthy conflict between the council and town mayor Randall Weddle. Weddle warned a previously passed budget ordinance would lay off 51 city workers.
That would have included two clerks, one building inspector, the city’s IT department, 17 public works employees and 13 police officers. It would have also eliminated 15 positions at the fire department, including pay for the fire department’s rescue squad chief and assistant chief.
Councilmembers argued the ordinance would address a budget crisis from overcollected garbage fees, and only 35 workers would be laid off.
Eighty-six city employees sued the council over the lawsuit, arguing the cuts would be a danger to public safety. Circuit Court Judge Samuel Spalding issued a restraining order that kept the ordinance from being enacted.
Spalding removed that restraining order after the new ordinance was created. More money will go towards addressing garbage fund overspending, and the city’s departments will stay intact, according to court documents.
Mayor Weddle said in a social media statement the new ordinance indicates a desire between himself and the council to work together in the future. A months-long feud between the two parties involved Weddle being impeached and removed from office, a decision that was eventually overturned.
“This isn’t about sides or individuals; this is about moving a city forward and coming together. For the first time today, we came together, and I believe that is what we are going to do in the future. The skies are bright, and we can only go up from here,” Weddle said.
London’s emergency departments also took to social media to voice their support of the decision.
“This action provides the necessary framework for the Fire Department to continue delivering life-saving emergency services throughout the City of London. Ensuring continuity of emergency response is critical to public safety, and we appreciate the effort taken to address that priority,” the London City Fire Department said.
An order from Judge Spalding says it is still undecided whether some city employees will lose their jobs as part of the newly passed ordinance. London councilmembers previously accused Weddle of hiring workers, setting salaries and creating new positions without their approval.
