NEWTON FALLS, Ohio - A member of Newton Falls Council announced his resignation during Monday’s meeting after fellow members voted to sanction him over his refusal to take a drug test.

Council member-at-large Brian Kropp made the announcement at the end of the hour-and-a-half-long meeting after four council members voted to hold him in contempt. Kropp abstained from voting.

Like Newton Falls city employees, council members are required to submit to drug tests.

Kropp has not undergone testing, saying that he had no idea it was a requirement until after he was sworn into the post in July.

Saying that he is not like city employees that “operate a bucket truck”, Kropp said that he would not take the test as a matter of principle, adding that he believes the law supersedes the constitution.

The first violation of the council rule is only a sanction.  If Kropp had not resigned, the council would take up the matter again in future meetings.

Mayor Ken Kline, speaking after Kropp’s resignation announcement, told the council that he hoped Kropp would reconsider his decision.