CANTON — In a 5-1 vote Thursday, the Canton City Council upheld a decision to eliminate funding for the mayor’s executive assistant. There was no discussion surrounding the vote.

The Council first voted to do so at a Jan. 17 meeting. The vote was vetoed by Mayor Gene Hobgood, pushing the matter to an additional vote.

Council Member Glen Cummins cast the lone dissenting vote Thursday and on Jan. 17.

The vote moves $33,000 from the salaries budget into the city’s contingency fund.

Thursday’s vote ended the employment of the mayor’s assistant, Patricia Fowler, with the city.

Hobgood confirmed Fowler’s last day with the city was also Thursday.

“It’s going to hurt the operation of the mayor’s office, but I’m going to try the best I can,” Hobgood said.

The Council voted in December to strip the mayor of the ability to employ a staff. Hobgood also vetoed that vote, but the Council upheld their decision in a 5-1 vote along the same lines as the budget votes.

In addition to Fowler, Hobgood’s office employed former Canton Main Street director Ginger Garrard, who has since been let go by Hobgood.

In discussions of the mayor’s staff, Council members indicated they wanted to eliminate the assistant position and move the Main Street director’s position to supervision under City Manager Scott Wood or a future economic development director.