GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) _ A northern Indiana mayor who recently withdrew a proposed expansion of the city's anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity says he'll issue an executive order adding those protections to the city's hiring policy.

Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman said Thursday his order will add protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and require mutual voluntary mediation when cases of potential discrimination are believed to be substantiated.

Kauffman and city council members agreed earlier this month not to take a vote on the proposed LGBT ordinance. Their move followed opposition campaigns that a prominent conservative activist has led in several communities considering similar measures.

Kauffman is a Democrat who's not seeking a fifth term this year. He says “we need to all work hard at hearing one another.''