Jefferson County Commission

Almost Ripe: Major Projects May Come to Fruition This Year, County Manager Says

Joe Knight had kind words for County Manager Cal Markert, his staff and county department heads as the Jefferson County Commission’s committee meeting neared its end today. “All these people have put in the hard work on this,” Knight said. “I think you've got a good vision. I think you're trying to pursue that vision. I know it's a hard job. This isn't easy stuff to do. It's meticulous and it's time consuming.” Knight’s acknowledgement came after Markert listed several long-awaited projects that could this year come to fruition, including a new animal care facility, youth detention facility and several road projects. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

County Sheriff in Talks Over Regional Jail, Says “It’s a Process”

Mark Pettway let the Jefferson County Commission know Tuesday that you can’t always believe what you hear. The sheriff came to the commission committee meeting to ease concerns that a deal had been struck for the county jail to house inmates who are currently at the Birmingham Jail. “There is nothing right now other than some talks that's going on,” Pettway said. “If you hear something, you can check with me to make sure it's happening. Right now, there's nothing in writing. Nothing has gone forward.” The sheriff said officials from the city of Birmingham have talked with him about the possibility of establishing a regional jail that could accommodate prisoners from Birmingham and surrounding areas. Pettway said he has also talked with attorneys for the city. “We're just talking some things out,” he said. “We need to have a chance to talk with the (county’s) legal department. We'll find out some things that may not work. We'll find some things that may work. It's a process. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

BWWB Collection Issues Raised During JeffCo Commission Discussion on Sewer Billing

A proposed extension of Jefferson County’s sewer billing relationship with Birmingham Water Works broached a discussion about why customer costs are rising. County Attorney Theo Lawson told the Jefferson County Commission during Tuesday’s committee meeting that he has been negotiating with the utility company over BWW billing customers both for water and Jefferson County sewer service. Lawson said the current contract expires in December and must be extended six months while those discussions continue. “We need to maintain the status quo,” Lawson said, “so that we do have collections in place until we can get this squared away.” Commissioner Sheila Tyson said the dual billing relation has allowed some with BWW to blame Jefferson County for higher customer bills. “The collection method they have isn’t good because if it was, they wouldn’t be overcharging these people,” she said. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Scales Loses Two Titles as JeffCo Commission Reorganizes

The organizational meeting that followed the swearing in ceremonies for the Jefferson County Commission didn’t include a seating chart. But Lashunda Scales didn’t need one as she swapped seats with Joe Knight after the commission established its leadership, with Knight succeeding Scales as president pro tempore. That was one of two positions that Scales no longer has after commissioners did away with subordinate co-chairs of their committees. Scales had been co-chair of the economic development committee chaired by Steve Ammons, who said the change was done to provide greater efficiency. “It's just easier to have one commissioner,” he said. “We're all on the same committee so there's no need for a co-chair. We're delivering information to all the commissioners. Since each commissioner is on every committee, then you just have the chair.” “I'm at peace today because I recognize that a position or title don't make you who you are,” Scales said in her closing comments. “You empower the position. The position doesn't empower you.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Commissioners Discuss How to Fix Slow Emergency Response Times

Steve Ammons gave a 30-minute report during today’s Jefferson County Commission committee meeting, telling his fellow commissioners what he learned from countless meetings to address an ambulance crisis in the county. “The problem is real,” one commissioner said. “So, what’s the solution?” asked another. As Rome wasn’t built in a day, Ammons said it will take time and continued effort to solve a problem that has been years in the making. He laid out short term, mid-term and long-term solutions to a situation that can leave county residents waiting hours for an ambulance. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jeffco Commission Discusses Proposed Downtown Amphitheater

A proposed $50 million amphitheater that could seat up to 9,000 people received a less-than-enthusiastic reception when it was presented during Tuesday’s committee meeting of the Jefferson County Commission.  Commission President Jimmie Stephens doled out copies of The Star Uptown Amphitheater Opportunity, a seven-page information booklet produced by Corporate Realty, to fellow commission members. The plan calls for an amphitheater that could seat from 8,500 to 9,000 and would be owned by the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Authority and managed by Live Nation.  The downtown entertainment venue would be located north of Protective Stadium and west of The Star at Uptown development on the old Carraway Hospital campus. It would replace the “aging” Oak Mountain Amphitheater, which is managed by Live Nation.  Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Tyson Pushes for Saturday Absentee Voting, Commissioners Demur

Sheila Tyson was determined to have her say. The Jefferson County commissioner whose resolution to open the courthouse for absentee Saturday voting declared that commissioners who voted against the matter going onto today’s agenda were wrong to not open the courthouse. Arguing for in-person absentee voting on two Saturdays in October, Tyson said the underlying problem is voter suppression. “Voter suppression is rampant here in the state of Alabama because that's the only reason I can see why these doors are not open,” she said. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jeffco Commission Rejects Opening of Courthouse to Saturday Absentee Voting

An effort to open the Jefferson County Courthouse for Saturday absentee voting was squelched Tuesday during the commission committee meeting.  Commissioner Sheila Tyson presented the resolution for consideration to be placed on the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting. Commissioner Lashunda Scales moved the item and Tyson seconded it before it was defeated 3-2 on a rollcall vote. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr. 

Groups Lining Up for Extra Funding as Budget Year Closes, Commissioner Warns

Joe Knight alerted his fellow Jefferson County commissioners Thursday that some entities are lining up for any money left over from the county’s fiscal 2022 budget. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Garbage Point of Discussion for Jefferson County Commission

Discussion of garbage segued to garbage of a different sort during Tuesday’s committee meeting of the Jefferson County Commission. The agenda included a resolution to address garbage pickup at county facilities, including the courthouse. The resolution calls for EcoSouth Services of Birmingham to handle county facility garbage collection and disposal for three years for $785,400. County Manager Cal Markert said that cost is double what it had been. The aim, he said, is to keep coverage in place until proposals can be accepted from other vendors. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.