After 10 days of competition and medals, organizers of the World Police & Fire Games had at least one more award to hand out.

Deputy County Manager Daren Lanier, a member of the host committee of the just completed games, presented a crystal trophy to Jefferson County in gratitude for its “support and contributions.”

The county’s total contribution was $2.5 million, including $500,000 that was approved at its most recent meeting, on June 26. That was “money well spent,” said Lanier, adding that metro Birmingham received high marks from organizers, who have generally given at least some demerits to prior hosts.

“From what I understand, they have no complaints,” Lanier said during the commission’s committee meeting today. “The director said from what they’ve done in the past, they’ve always had some complaints. They’ve not had one here. The athletes really enjoyed themselves. Birmingham showcased very well.”

The deputy county manager said the nearly 8,000 athletes were elated by what they received from the central Alabama area – warm, Southern hospitality. The warm feelings that came from that hospitality could pay off for Jefferson County in the future as visiting athletes consider making return visits.

“Sometimes you just can’t buy that,” Lanier said of the public relations. “When people look at that and you think about it, if you give them a positive image, they’re gonna want to come back and spend more money.”

And those athletes are going to tell somebody about their experience.

“What other better way to get your message out than word of mouth?” the deputy county manager said. “You can do social media all you want but when somebody can tell you about that experience … It’s no difference than going to a restaurant. Hey, have you ever been there before?” Lanier asked. “Yes, I have. It’s spectacular, right? I think you would get that same message from a lot of athletes, if you can even catch them at the airport right now. ‘Oh man, loved Birmingham! Great atmosphere. Great hospitality.’”

During the committee, meeting, commissioners moved eight items from Environmental Services to the agenda of Thursday’s meeting without asking any questions. Commission President Jimmie Stephens couldn’t just let that pass.

“That’s the easiest David Denard has ever gotten by,” Stephens said of the Environmental Services department head. “There were times when we first started this that poor David had to field so many questions because of the things that the previous administration had done.”

In September 2024, a federal judge released Jefferson County from a decades-long consent decree ordering rehabilitation of its sewer system. The County Commission and the Cahaba River Society, which filed the case forcing the sewer work, filed a joint request to terminate the 1996 consent decree, which also included the Environmental Protection Agency.

As part of the agreement, the county committed to completing several additional capital improvement projects by early 2027 to further reduce sewer overflows.

“You’re doing a good job over there,” Stephens said.

Also Thursday, commissioners will consider a $500,000 grant to the Center Point Fire District to add a storm shelter onto its Center Point Station No. 3, which is a new construction project.