Records show a memorial for veterans in the western Kentucky city of Madisonville ended up costing more than three times the original estimate.
The Messenger reports records show the final price for the memorial was $358,000, which includes the use of city equipment and work done by city employees.
Mayor David Jackson disagreed with the newspaper's calculation, saying indirect expenses such as using city equipment shouldn't count for the total cost which would bring the total down to about $275,000. He said he would "vehemently disagree" with anyone who said the project cost too much.
Jackson says the memorial has become a point of pride in the community since it was dedicated in November.