When asked by a council member why the administration changed its mind on the revenues, Cuffee-Glenn did not respond directly. Instead, she extended an invitation to Council President Cynthia Newbille and Hilbert to meet with Stoney privately to discuss next steps.

Neither agreed to the meeting, as others on the council objected to any closed-door discussions on the budget between the council leadership and the administration.

The situation and corresponding fallout derailed the session, with council members sharply criticizing Stoney and Cuffee-Glenn. Soon after, she walked out of the meeting with a cadre of city administrators behind her, leaving a stunned council with a mostly empty chamber and an $11 million hole remaining in the budget.

The council briefly recessed as some of its members shouted at the departing city administrators and at one other. Newbille attempted to regain order and figure out whether to continue reviewing the budget or adjourn for the day.

“There are childish antics going on,” said 2nd District Councilwoman Kimberly Gray, one of the five council members who opposed Stoney’s proposed hike to the real estate tax rate.