CANTON — Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood is expected to veto an ordinance approved by the Canton City Council last week to create a city fire district.

Hobgood has scheduled a news conference at 11 a.m. today at Canton City Hall to discuss the veto as well as the planned fire district.

The mayor said he will go in depth on why he decided to veto the council’s decision.

According to the new city ordinance giving the mayor veto power, the mayor will then schedule a called meeting to revisit the veto, which Hobgood has said will most likely be between the council’s Aug. 2 work session and the Aug. 16 regular meeting.

The fire district was approved by the City Council on a 5-1 vote, with Councilman Glen Cummins opposing.

The district is an alternative to the city consolidating its fire operations with Cherokee County.

Both Cummins and Hobgood are proponents of consolidation with the county for fire services.