But his action infuriated some council members. Councilman Michael Jones said Hilbert’s requested budget ordinance should be “shredded.” Councilman Parker C. Agelasto said it was a betrayal of trust. Gray asked: “How are we going to move forward as a governing body if we leave the room with an agreement and we come back with two sets of rules?”

Hilbert explained that Stoney’s administration had raised concerns that he thought were valid and wanted the council to have the option to act on them, concerns that were also voiced by council members Andreas Addison, Ellen F. Robertson and Cynthia Newbille.

Addison said the new way “seems to be a little too much ... in the weeds for what our job is on City Council.”

Gray countered, “This isn’t us wanting to know if you go over budget on paper clips. These are major programs.”

A vote to stick with the budget providing additional oversight came down to Councilwoman Reva Trammell, who said she was “torn apart” but ultimately sided with Gray, Larson, Agelasto and Jones. Addison, whose name was called last, also voted with the majority despite voicing opposition.