Budget Issues Facing Jefferson County

Though the Jefferson County Budget Committee is currently working on the budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, there are still pressing financial issues that are a part of the current financial picture. Recently, the Department of Education submitted a request for a budget amendment that would allow the movement of $370,624 from the School System fund balance to cover expenses expected to incur during the remainder of this fiscal year. The requested amendment passed the Budget Committee but was denied by the Full Body (9-6) due to a lack of 11 affirmative votes. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri called a Special Called Meeting at the request of Commission Chairman Mills to address the issue. Mayor Palmieri stated that the May 30, 2013 meeting was subsequently cancelled at the Chairman’s request. Some Commissioners have expressed concern that Commission rules will require a member of the prevailing side to revisit the issue. The Jefferson County School Board addressed the failed request and the financial picture should the request continue to be rejected by the Commission, at their most recent meeting. In addition to financial constrictions during the current fiscal year, the Department of Education will be presenting a 2013-2014 budget request that has in excess of a $3 million dollar deficit. Mayor Palmieri stated that the Department of Education and the Sheriff’s Department are the departments with the most impact on the County budget and any significant increase in expenditures in those departments could have serious repercussions on the property tax rate. The Mayor said that the County cannot separate expenditures and fund balance, as if there is no cross impact and that the current financial situation that the County finds itself in is in response to a lack of long-term planning. He stated that he would like to see a solid plan in place that utilizes the possibility of refinancing, addressing fee structures and other financial avenues to ward off large property tax increases that appear to be on the horizon. Though the situation cannot be addressed in one fiscal year, the Mayor is in favor of seeking advice outside of the County Commission to investigate the financial options open to the County. Mayor Palmieri stated that he has fought against a tax increase during his entire political career, however he feels that the current position in which the County finds itself may not lend to other options.

In regard to funding of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and EDOC, the Mayor stated that the amount of intermingling of the two bodies is concerning, as well as the self perpetuating board of those bodies. Palmieri said that he would like to investigate the possibility of a County department that focuses on economic development, rather than funding an outside source that does not answer to the tax payers. Redirection of the funds that are currently dedicated to the Chamber of Commerce and EDOC could fund a County run economic development department. The Mayor said that any department or organization that is run with tax payer money should be open to public scrutiny. He stated that the funding of those two organizations will likely be a topic of concern at the next Budget Committee meeting. Mayor Palmieri said that he would like to see Jefferson County streamline the budgeting process and develop a staged plan that will address the long-term and short-term needs in Jefferson County.