EVERETT — A veto override by the Snohomish County Council ensures that nearly $500,000 in programs and accounts will stay in the county budget.
The four Democrats on the council voted as a bloc Monday to override a veto by County Executive Aaron Reardon.
The council’s decision reaffirms a previous action to carry over about $479,000 budgeted in 2007 but not spent.
Monday’s was the first veto override by the County Council since Democrats extended their majority to four of the five seats on the council.
In December, the council overrode three of Reardon’s vetoes — also budget related.
The money is intended for future courthouse security improvements, flood control and County Council contingency accounts.
“The money we’re rolling over from the 2007 budget is not being appropriated for the council for any other purpose,” Democratic County Councilman Mike Cooper said. “We’re simply rolling those dollars over.”
Reardon, a Democrat, vetoed the list of spending proposals last week saying they were not necessary at this time. The money might be needed to bolster the county’s bottom line as tough economic times loom this year and next, he said.
The council rolled over spending of:
$200,000 for future courthouse security;
$98,106 for professional contracts for the County Council;
$80,000 in a County Council contingency fund;
$76,884 for flood control work with diking districts;
$23,900 in printing costs for growth-management issues.
Republican John Koster voted against the veto override. He said he would have supported the override if an $80,000 council contingency account would be cut from the action. County attorneys told council members they were able to consider only whether or not to override Reardon.
Koster criticized Reardon’s office for staying silent on the proposal to carry over the 2007 money.
“We heard no protest until the veto letter came,” Koster said.
Reardon said he voiced his concerns last month during a meeting with council chairman Dave Somers.
Speaking for courthouse security advisers, Superior Court administrator Bob Terwilliger urged the council to override the veto so the money would be available to improve security at the county campus this year.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
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