Mayor Deems Budget Politically Motivated – Financially Unstable

As promised, Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri delivered his veto of the fiscal year 2015-16 budget on Friday morning. In a recent interview with the Post, Mayor Palmieri had stated his intent to exercise his right to veto, declaring the document to be fiscally irresponsible. Deep cuts to county departments and non-profits, as well as a healthy dip into a dwindling reserve account, have been the core talking points for Palmieri during the budget debate. In an 11-9 vote, the County Commission approved the recommendation of the budget committee for a 0 property tax increase, deep cuts, and use of the hospital reserve fund balance and hospital lease funds. The Mayor had lobbied for a 10 cent property tax increase that would have offset some of the cuts and negated the use of reserve funds, contending that the current financial crisis was due, in large part, to a lack of planning for the payment of the recent $53,000,000 building program.

In Friday’s veto, Mayor Palmieri went further, stating that some cuts were politically motivated and targeted line-item personnel in specific departments, labeling the budget a political, not financial, document. He also stated that the budget was in conflict with the advice of both the County Finance Director and County Financial Adviser. Finally, Palmieri closed by deeming the budget an embarrassment and void of financial stability. The Jefferson County Commission will address the veto in a called meeting on Monday, June 29, 2015, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.