Category: Jefferson County Commission
JeffCo to Consider Funding for Roebuck Y With Comprehensive Community Services
Jefferson County Commissioners on Tuesday decided to send a resolution to Thursday’s agenda that would provide ARPA funds to fill in the gap in the YMCA’s revitalization project for its Roebuck Community facility.
Inflation left the Y with a $1.87 million shortfall in its efforts to build a comprehensive center to include mental health services, veteran crisis intervention services and services to address inequities in health care, early learning and housing, among others. Read more.
Commissioners Endorse Amendment 1, Say It’s Needed to Address Local Issues
The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday passed a resolution endorsing Amendment 1 on the March 5 ballot, but not before two commissioners gained greater understanding of the measure.
Joe Knight explained during Tuesday’s committee meeting that the amendment would make it easier for legislators to pass local legislation earlier in the session. It would allow legislators to take up bills that are specific to one county before it takes up the state’s budgets. Normally, the legislators must have 3/5 of a quorum vote to OK a budget isolation resolution, which allows them to take on other bills before the budgets. It often is late in the session before the budgets are passed. Read more.
Earlier This Week:
JeffCo Commission Considers Backing Amendment to Make Passing Local Laws Easier
County Works With Cities for Quicker Emergency Response Times in Unincorporated Areas
Jimmie Stephens said the decline in complaints about lengthy emergency response times in Jefferson County is no accident.
The president of the Jefferson County Commission said it is because the county has established agreements to partner with municipal fire and rescue departments throughout the county to provide service beyond the limits of their town or city. Read more.
JeffCo Commission Considers Backing Amendment to Make Passing Local Laws Easier
The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday will be considering its support for an amendment on the March 5 ballot that would make it easier for legislators to pass local legislation earlier in the session.
The resolution supporting the adoption of Amendment 1 was discussed in the commission’s committee meeting Tuesday. District 4 Commissioner Joe Knight, president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, explained following the meeting that the amendment simplifies matters that are specific to individual counties.
“The commission is saying we’re in support of voting for Amendment 1, which is an amendment that will take off the BIR (budget isolation resolution) requirement hurdle before you can get to your local legislation if the budgets haven’t passed,” Knight said. “And they’re never passed until late.” Read more.
JeffCo Finance Officer Awarded for Excellence
Angela Dixon, Jefferson County’s chief finance officer, was praised Tuesday during the Jefferson County Commission’s committee meeting for having received a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
JeffCo Has a Great Day at the Market Refinancing Its Sewer Debt
Jefferson County has completed its refinance of $2.24 billion in sewer revenue warrants for a gross savings of $1.17 billion, which reduces the county’s payments on the overall sewer debt.
Additionally, the refunding was accomplished without extending the maturity of the sewer debt. The refinance includes a provision for a customer assistance program and stabilizes rate increases. Read more.
JeffCo Plans for New Coroner’s Office as It Forgives Development Authority’s Debt
The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday forgave about $1 million of debt owed by a development authority, setting the stage for the county coroner’s office to move to that authority’s industrial park.
County Manager Cal Markert said Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority developed the Jefferson Metropolitan Park Lakeshore industrial park on Lakeshore Parkway. One of its three remaining lots was targeted as the new home of the coroner’s office.
“Instead of paying for it, we’re forgiving the debt,” Markert said. “It’s all ours anyway. We loaned them the money. They bought all the property, set it up, developed the whole industrial park and created a tremendous number of jobs.” Read more.
JeffCo Considers Forgiving Development Group’s Debt, Moving Coroner’s Office to Park
A resolution moved to the agenda of Thursday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting would forgive more than $1 million owed to the county from Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority.
The county would also execute a purchase agreement with JCEIDA for land in the Lakeshore Jeffmet Park for the new office space of the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner. The purchase agreement for the land, valued at $700,000, would not be a cash transaction but would help offset the remaining JCEIDA debt being forgiven.
County Manager Cal Markert called the authority “one of the most successful economic development groups in the state, if not the most.” Read more.
Never Again: JeffCo Commission Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Bankruptcy Resolution
The longest-sitting members of the Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday recognized the 10-year anniversary of the county being removed from bankruptcy.
Commission President Jimmie Stephens and Pro Tempore Joe Knight were reminded of the occasion by text messages from David Carrington, a commissioner with them at the time of the bankruptcy along with Sandra Little Brown and George Bowman.
“It was a very traumatic experience that we went through,” Stephens said during Tuesday’s commission committee meeting.
He said the anniversary “has a great deal of significance to us.” Read more.
Jefferson County Targets ARPA Funds Against Food Desert
UPDATED — A Jefferson County allocation of ARPA funds could provide healthier grocery options for residents along the U.S. 78 corridor.
County commissioners on Thursday approved spending American Rescue Plan Act funds to address food insecurities. The pilot program supports a food pantry to create a low or no-cost grocery store.
Federal funds totaling $472,782.96 will enhance a program that’s in place and sponsored by Daniel Payne Legacy Village Foundation.
“It’s focused on areas where there’s no grocery store,” County Manager Cal Markert said. “If you’ve only got Dollar Generals and gas stations, there aren’t as many fresh fruits and vegetables. This will kind of try to supplement that and get packages of more healthy foods for families to have.” Read more.
