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For Nenshi’s case only, council directed the mayor pay out-of-pocket or fundraise the entire cost.

In any future cases of external lawsuits arising, the mayor will join other council members in either asking taxpayers to cover their costs, or choosing to fundraise to pay them in whole or in part.

“Under the current policy, I had to ask council to reimburse those fees — I haven’t asked,” said Nenshi.

While he voted for the new policy, Coun. Brian Pincott said he’s uncomfortable with the mayor being treated differently than other city politicians this time.

“The mayor says he fully intends to pay, just as we would fully intend to do that,” he said.

“Why then would we treat him differently? I don’t think it’s appropriate, I don’t think it’s fair.”

Only Coun. Evan Woolley refused to support the measures.

Coun. Sean Chu said if Nenshi had settled his spat with Wenzel two years ago, his legal bill wouldn’t have ballooned.

“He had two years to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ but it dragged on,” said Chu, who backed down when assured the city won’t be paying.

Nenshi said city lawyers have already concluded he was eligible for taxpayers to cover his tab.

“The city solicitors did determine I was acting in good faith,” said Nenshi, referring to the circumstances surrounding his contentious comments directed at Wenzel.

The mayor said two individuals offered to pay down the rest of his legal costs, but he rejected what he called the generous offers.

“I really don’t want to know who the people helping me are, but I don’t know if that’s actually possible,” he said, adding numerous citizens have objected to him being caught in a legal fee snare.

“Many, many, many Calgarians have approached me that I don’t even know and said, ‘It’s wrong a public servant is treated like this.'”

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

on Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn