Birmingham, AL – Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins says the county could be out of cash in 30 days if the occupational tax is not reinstated.
The commission last month said deep, across-the-board cuts were needed in case the state Supreme Court upholds the loss of the county's occupational tax. Collins reinforced her position on Thursday.
Officials say that even if the tax is reinstated, restoring about one-third of the county's general fund revenue, some cuts still will be needed because of the recession.
The commission had asked all departments to submit plans to cut their budgets by 33 percent by Monday. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Cooper Green Mercy Hospital were among 11 county departments that did not meet that deadline.
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