Three of Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller's six budget amendment vetoes have been overridden by the board of commissioners.

The commissioners met Nov. 5 to tackle the possibility of overriding all six of the executive vetoes.

The three amendments to remain intact include using $1.25 million from the county reserve fund to reduce real estate taxes by $8, eradicating longevity pay for non-union county employees in 2015 and requiring the commissioners to offer insight before retaining the management company that currently runs Cedarbrook Nursing Home, Allentown.

Regarding the $8 reduction in real estate taxes, Commissioner Vic Mazziotti said residents who take issue with the reduction can donate the money back to the county.

"This body would be delighted to accept it," he said. "We do accept donations."

Commissioners Geoff Brace, David Jones Jr. and Percy Dougherty voted against the tax cut.

"We still have this structural deficit hanging over our heads," Dougherty said. "In addition we're not debt-free. We have bond issues we owe."

Brace called the tax cut "insidious. Adding $1.25 million back to that deficit, I think, undercuts that effort [balanced budget]," he said.

Muller vehemently spoke out against the board eliminating longevity pay. He argued employees who devoted time and energy to the county this year will receive less money in 2015.

Voting in opposition to longevity pay were Brace and Jones.

"I don't think that's the way you treat employees," Muller said.

Muller's other vetoes included three non-union initiatives to eliminate bonuses for senior employees, capped raises and an incentive program. Only the longevity bonus will be included in next year's budget.

The amendments ultimately reduced next year's deficit from $5.5 million to $4.4 million.

The commissioners approved the 2015 budget Oct. 22.