Jefferson County Commission

Jeffco Considers $5 Million Pledge to UAB’s Genomics Sciences Program

The Jefferson County Commission will consider on Thursday a pledge of $5 million for the genomics sciences program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. At their committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners placed the proposal on the agenda for this week’s meeting. The county is set to pledge $1 million a year for five years to help UAB with the expansion and construction of a new genomics sciences and research building. The move of the action to Thursday’s agenda came after an appeal from UAB President Ray Watts, who said the building will span 540,000 square feet. “It is perfectly situated to take genomic information and data science and predict what kinds of treatments might be effective for cancers,” Watts said. “You can also predict what diseases we might be a risk for so we can control those risk factors and avoid ever having that disease. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Company Hired to Conduct Search for County Manager

Jefferson County commissioners learned Tuesday that Wheless Partners will be hired to conduct a nationwide search to replace County Manager Tony Petelos, who announced his retirement recently. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Consultant Chosen to Conduct Search for New Jefferson County Manager

Jefferson County commissioners learned Tuesday about the local company that will be tasked with looking for a new county manager. County Manager Tony Petelos, who announced his retirement recently, told commissioners at their committee meeting that Wheless Partners will conduct a nationwide search for his replacement. “They're going to be contacting all the commissioners to get input,” Petelos said. “I felt like having a local company would be better than having a company from out of state.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jefferson County Nears Deal for New Humane Society

Commissioner Joe Knight said Jefferson County is “getting close” to making a deal to provide a new home for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. During their committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners discussed a memorandum of understanding with the Humane Society and U.S. Steel to buy two lots along Lakeshore Parkway at Sydney Drive. GBHS would purchase a third lot and build an animal hospital and adoption control facility at the site. Commissioners agreed to take up the issue during their formal meeting Thursday. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

New Garbage Service in Unincorporated Jefferson Has Rocky Start

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens said ‘I told you so’ when it came to a new waste disposal company’s roll out of service to unincorporated Jefferson County. Since Amwaste took over April 1, customers have complained of missed pickups, undelivered garbage carts, errantly taken carts and confusion about contracting with the new company. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Commissioner Applauds Employees for Actions During COVID War

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens closed today’s commission meeting with gratitude for county employees and staff who fought their way through the “wartime” environment of the pandemic. “It was a wartime atmosphere,” Stephens said. “We were at war with this virus. It actually changed our day-to-day lives and how we conducted business. I wanted to commend and thank our county commission and our county staff for being able to stay on top of this wartime environment and to be able to win as many battles as we have. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Commission Moves Toward Buying Land Next to Shady Grove Fire Station, Selling Old West End Health Center

The Shady Grove Fire Department will benefit from a “fire sale” transaction between the state of Alabama and Jefferson County. During their committee meeting today, commissioners moved a resolution to the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting to buy property from the state that is adjacent to the fire department and plan to offer $100. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jefferson County Spends $1.4 Million for New Sheriff’s Vehicles

The Jefferson County Commission Thursday sent an additional $1.4 million to the sheriff’s department to replace aging vehicles. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo’s County Manager Plans Retirement After 10 Years Helping to Navigate Rough Waters

Tony Petelos, the only county manager Jefferson County has had, told county commissioners at their committee meeting today that he will soon retire. “After 34 years of public service in many different jobs throughout the years and 10 years here at the county, I'm going to announce my retirement this year,” he said from his seat at the end of the board table. “I don't have a date set, but I just want to give you a heads up that I do plan to retire this year. I've got a couple of projects I'm still working on and I want to get those done, but it's been a pleasure and an honor to work with you.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jeffco Commission Gets Clean Bill of Health After State Review of Its Accounts

Jimmie Stephens ended Thursday’s meeting of the Jefferson County Commission by saying that the county had received a clean bill of health from the Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts. “They come in and check our books, our records, to make sure that everything is done in accordance with state law,” the commission president said. “No news is good news, and this is a no-news report that we have.” Had there been significant findings, Stephens said, the commission would have been duty bound to report that also. The report assessed the current commission and the one immediately before it. Each included Stephens and Commissioner Joe Knight. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.