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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2024
Contact:
Contact: Jay Willms, Interim Director of Council Operations
Jay.Willms@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Saint Paul City Council Unanimously Overrides All Line-Item Vetoes, Upholds Budget 7-0
SAINT PAUL – Today, at a special meeting of the Saint Paul City Council, the Council voted to override five line-item vetoes issued by Mayor Carter and upheld its 2025 budget. This concludes the lengthy process of adopting an annual city budget that the Council undertakes with the Mayor every year.
The Council voted to override a line-item veto and uphold funding for its office modernization project negotiated by the former Council and Mayor Carter as part of the global agreement for ARP federal investments into nearly every area of city operations. The Council has supported every Administration project in the global agreement since receiving these federal funds beginning in 2021. The Mayor’s stated reason for the veto is to redirect these funds into SPPD, which is in violation of that global agreement. As a public workplace, the City Council regularly receives visitors and constituents who stand to benefit from improved safety, accessibility, security, and other operational improvements within the redesign project. As an employer, the Council is committed to improving working conditions for our employees.
The Council voted to override a line-item veto and uphold a one-year adjustment to the salary of the HREEO Director in recognition that the Administration has not had a formal permanent HREEO Director for at least two years. The Council is committed to the invaluable work of the HREEO Department. It will work with the Administration toward a community hiring process for this Director in 2025 with the funding to support that in the 2026 budget.
The Council voted to override a line-item veto and uphold funding for cultural events and festivals. The Mayor proposed, and the Council ultimately accepted and expanded upon, funding in the 2025 budget for cultural events and festivals to better offset the costs of running these events, from security to other expenses as appropriate. The Council shares the Administration’s commitment to uplifting the vitality of our residents through cultural events and festivals, and these funds will enhance the social fabric of our community and attract visitors and investment to Saint Paul.
The Council voted to override a line-item veto and uphold funding for the operations of the City Council’s audit committee, which evaluates the city’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. The committee ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and responsibly, identifying areas for cost savings and efficiencies.
The Council voted to override a line-item veto and uphold funding for the Saint Paul Children’s Collaborative. This partner organization has received funding from the City of Saint Paul already, and the Council is committed to ensuring a continued partnership.
This Council action finalizes the 2025 budget ahead of the Dec. 30 deadline under state law and brings the months-long annual city budget process to a close. The Council looks forward to moving ahead with the Administration to implement critical investments citywide into 2025.
To learn more about the Council’s budget process, go to www.stpaul.gov/departments/city-Council/budgeting-financial-planning.
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