COZAD, Neb. (AP) — The City Council in Cozad has decided to let volunteer firefighters be elected to the council.

The council tied 2-2 on Monday night after the third and final reading of an ordinance that would allow the firefighters to run for council seats. Mayor Nancy Meyer broke the tie when she voted yes.

Resident Orville Schmidt had given the council a 600-signature petition that he said showed residents’ support for the idea.

Council member Jared Jacob said he voted against the ordinance because he thought it would be a conflict of interest for a firefighter to have a say in the fire department budget.