Based on discussions with his fellow Metro Council members Tuesday, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker says Mayor Kip Holden’s $748 million bond package will be voted down once more at this evening’s Metro Council meeting. Holden placed the three-part bond issue on today’s agenda following the council’s 9-3 vote on July 27 to bar the package from being introduced for a subsequent committee meeting, public hearing and final council vote. Aug. 16 is the deadline to put items on the Nov. 19 ballot.
Seven votes are needed to send the entire bond package or any of its three parts to the ballot. Joel Boé—one of the three who voted in favor of the bond on July 27, along with Tara Wicker and Denise Marcelle—is out of town and will not be at tonight’s meeting. Chandler Loupe is also out of town, leaving 10 members to vote on the bond. Of them, Walker says, Trae Welch, Scott Wilson, “Smokey” Bourgeois and Alison Gary will not reverse their July 27 vote against the bond.
“I know the five of us are sticking together,” Walker says. “I haven’t talked to ‘Bones’ (Addison), Donna (Collins-Lewis) or Ronnie (Edwards); but even if they change their votes, it won’t be enough.” Tonight’s meeting will begin at 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Governmental Building on St. Louis Street. A public hearing will precede the council’s vote. —Steve Sanoski
