Wilmington City Council says they had a deal, but mayor vetoes budget anyway

After unsuccessful attempts to reach a compromise with city council, Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams has vetoed the city’s FY2014 budget.

In a veto letter addressed to city council, the mayor claims the proposed $145 million budget is not balanced and has “insufficient revenue” to fund the FY 2014 appropriations.

The move comes after several back and forth negotiations between the mayor and City Council President Theo Gregory. 

The focal point of the dispute is over how to rearrange $250,000 that the mayor had originally set aside for the Department of Parks and Recreation. When city council revised the budget last week, they moved that money to city council to create unspecified youth development programs.

They also eliminated the position of the deputy director of the Department of Parks and Recreation for a savings of $110,400. 

In response to the mayor’s action, Gregory said he was disappointed but not surprised that Williams vetoed the budget.

“City Council approved a budget on May 16 that is fair and fiscally responsible, and one that restored the Mayor’s funding cuts so the city can produce new jobs, businesses, improve public safety and create cleaner and more stable neighborhoods,” said Gregory. “I am extremely proud of this council’s work. I did everything I could on their behalf to work out a compromise with the Mayor. We actually reached an agreement on Tuesday night, but the Mayor changed his position the next day and the stalemate continued.” 

He said city council plans to meet May 30 to vote to override the mayor’s veto. The budget is due May 31.