Mayor John Cooper today released the following statement in response to remarks by State Comptroller, Justin Wilson, at the Metro Council Joint Budget and Finance and Public Works Committee meeting:
“I’d like to recognize the State Comptroller for coming to City Hall and helping us diagnose and cure our financial problems. We face short-term budget challenges as well as longer-term issues such as rising debt, unfunded retiree obligations, and dwindling fund balances. Reasonable reforms to our budgeting process, borrowing, and cash management will help Metro regain our footing. This morning’s announcement of Capital Spending Plan reform is only one of several reforms that will restore fiscal responsibility. I look forward to working with the State Comptroller and Metro Council to solve our fiscal challenges.”