Ironton City Council Thursday night tabled two ordinances that pertain to contracts with the city’s police and public works unions.

The vote to do so was unanimous among the five members present. Council members Beth Rist and Dave Frazer were absent.

“I think we’re hoping we can come up with a little better deal,” council member Bob Cleary said. “There is varied opinion as to how people feel about it. This will give the mayor another opportunity to go back and discuss them with the two unions.”

The contract with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) was up for third and final reading; the Fraternal Order Of Police contract was up for second reading. Both unions have chosen to lay off employees in order to meet a council-mandated seven- and- a- half percent budget cut. Council Chairman Mike Lutz echoed Cleary’s dissatisfaction with that decision.

“Citizens are paying more (in municipal fees and reciprocity repeal) and the unions decided to take layoffs so the city residents are losing services,” Lutz said, council chairman, said.

The move to table the ordinance came after a roughly 45-minute executive session.

Lutz canceled the special meeting that had been called for today to give the FOP matter third and final reading.