WATCH: It is not the right time Mayor says about his veto of city manager’s contract extension

EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser has veteod a council vote to extend the city manager's contract, saying the decision was "neither prudent nor warranted."

City Council held a special meeting Monday that extended Gonzalez's contract through 2029 and offered other perks in a 5-3 vote. Representatives Alexsandra Annello, Joe Molinar and Claudia Rodriguez voted No.

In a memorandum issued Wednesday, Mayor Leeser provided three reasons for his opposition.

The mayor's first reason was that it was too early for the contract to get renewed. The city manager's contract was renewed in 2019 and it was not set to expire until 2024. The mayor said it was premature for his contract to renew or amend.

"If we are going to vote a contract, we are going to vote for something, then we need to see what the impact will be at the end of the day. And we don't have numbers today," Leeser said.

Second, Mayor Leeser said that extending and enhancing the current contract at a time when constituents are facing increased living costs is not prudent.

In that memorandum, Leeser said, "As a government body we should be tightening our belts, not commuting to spending unnecessarily or enhancing current contracts."

Leeser said the appropriate time would come to renegotiate his contract, but now is not that time.

And third, Mayor Leeser says he requested but was advised that the city could not predict an estimate for the economic impact to the city on the contract's proposed amendments through 2029.

Soon after the meeting Monday, Gonzalez indicated he would be removing his name from consideration as a finalist for the Frisco city manager position.

Leeser said this veto has nothing to do with Gonzalez's performance.

The mayor said he is content with his decision.

"I am confident that we are going the right thing, you know. I can’t say if it will stand or not stand. I really hope it stands because I did the right thing for the community."

The mayor said this the right thing to do.

"When you are talking about something this important, it’s really important to say let’s give it enough time to look at it and be able to allow for public comment and look at the impact it is going to be on our community."

Mayor Leeser said he was "reviewing and assessing the item" Tuesday.

Council can override the mayor's veto with a 6-to-2 vote.

Mayor Leeser said he had not talked to Gonzalez about the veto.