JeffCo commissioners continue to battle over 2013 budget | News

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County Commissioners can't agree on a new budget for next fiscal year.

Tuesday, county commissioners met but could not agree to support a new budget. Commission President David Carrington says he will not support a budget that is out of balance. The current proposed budget is is more than $300,000 short.

Carrington says a few county departments are not taking as much cuts as other county agencies. The commissioner specifically pointed out the Jefferson Co. District Attorney's office in Bessemer, Family Court and the Youth Detention Center.

"What does fair mean? Their budgets look like they are high in relationship to their historic needs and projected needs," Carrington said.

Commissioner George Bowman says he would support dipping into county reserves to balance the budget. Commissioner Jimmie Stephens says he is concerned about cutting those departments so much it will affect services to the county taxpayers.

"The budget battle is all about...the services citizens demand from the county," Stephens said.

The commission will meet again Monday to see if they can agree on a new spending plan for the new fiscal year. The current proposed budget is more than $200 million. While the county is looking to pinch pennies next week the county commission will vote to hire a consulting firm at a cost of $208,000 to help downsize Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.

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