London Mayor Warns of Potential Layoffs After Amended Budget Approved

LONDON, Ky. — London Mayor Randall Weddle warned Tuesday that the city could face widespread layoffs, including the possible elimination of the entire fire department, after the City Council approved an amended budget he says does not provide enough funding to cover employee salaries.

The council approved the budget during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon, despite the mayor’s objections. Weddle said the current funding levels could force layoffs affecting as many as 51 city employees beginning Jan. 1.

“We’ll have to fire everybody at the fire department with the current numbers you have,” Weddle told council members prior to the vote.

According to the mayor, the budget shortfall could also result in layoffs across multiple departments. Weddle said the public works department could lose up to 15 employees, while more than a dozen police officers may also be affected.

“We’re going to make it a matter of record the number of jobs impacted by this, which is 51 employees,” Weddle said. “That includes two clerks, one building inspector, and several other positions that are completely removed.”

Tensions between the mayor and council members surfaced during the budget discussion. Councilmember Judd Weaver said the council had not received all necessary financial details in a timely manner and placed responsibility for staffing decisions on the mayor.

“If you’re concerned about your jobs, this man here does all the hiring and firing,” Weaver said. “We’re trying to get it back to an even playing field where we can move forward the right way — and legally.”

The exchange escalated as the meeting continued.

“If this ordinance goes through the way that it is, we will have to lay off the entire fire department,” Weddle said.

Weaver responded by accusing the mayor of improper hiring practices.

“Then you should’ve thought about that before you hired almost 70 employees illegally,” Weaver said.

Weddle disputed that claim, responding, “Here goes more false numbers.”

Despite the mayor’s warnings, the council voted to approve the amended budget. Weddle said the administration will now have to determine how to address the projected shortfall and potential layoffs in the coming weeks.