Commission Overrides Veto – Budget Stands
In their final meeting of the fiscal year 2014/2015, which ended July 1, 2015, the Jefferson County Commission voted 13-7 to override the Mayor’s veto of the 2015/2016 budget. With the override, the budget will stand as it was presented earlier this month, to include deep cuts to County departments and non profits but with no property tax increase. Voting in support of the Veto override were Commissioners Huffaker, Kesterson, Douglas, Baxley, Musick, Solomon, Scarlett, Bales, Dockery, Tucker, Carmichael, D. Seal and Beeler., who were acting on the motion to override that was offered by Commissioner Scarlett and 2nd by Commissioner Solomon.
Other action by the Commission included the approval of several general housekeeping end of year budget amendments for both the County and School side of the budget. All were brought as recommendations from the Budget Committee and moved for action by Budget Committee Chairman Scarlett. No action was taken on lease/abatement agreement for the Ford Dealership, which was previously approved by the Commission and sent to the Industrial Development Board to iron out the details, because the IDB did not meet due to lack of a quorum.
Jefferson County Finance Director Potts informed the Commission that funds will roll over from County departments and it will offset the fund balance use of around $135,000 to balance the current budget. According to Director Potts, the fund balance will not fall below the current mandated floor and will not require Commission action to lower the mandated fund balance.
