Government

Commission OKs Incentive for World Police and Fire Games, Prez Says Don’t Let World Games Problems Deter Investment

Jefferson County can’t let the issues that followed The World Games keep the county from being involved with other economy-impacting events, Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens said Thursday. During the County Commission’s meeting, commissioners supported a piece of legislation that exempted the World Police and Fire Games, which are slated for Birmingham in 2025, from taxes. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

County May Flatten a Bit of Its Management Chain

County Manager Cal Markert could have a new link in his chain of command if the Jefferson County Commission passes a resolution on Thursday’s meeting agenda creating a separate Department of Fleet Management. Well, it’s not exactly new. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Birmingham to Apply for $200K Law Enforcement Mental Health Grant

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to apply for a $200,000 federal grant to offer mental health services to law enforcement workers in the city. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

Birmingham Council Nixes Car Wash in Red Mountain, Hears Calls for Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Proclamation

The Birmingham City Council tackled issues local and global Tuesday, hearing an appeal for a car wash planned for the Red Mountain neighborhood along with a plea from residents urging a proclamation to condemn hostilities in Gaza. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

Birmingham Council Allocates $2M DOJ Grant to Expand Youth Violence Prevention Program

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to give nearly $2 million from a federal grant to expand a local violence prevention program. The Restore program, which offers mental health and case management services to Birmingham youths, has covered children aged 15 to 19, but the initiative is being expanded to include children as young as 11. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

For the First Time in 37 Years, Jefferson County Makes Major Change to Tax Maps

For the first time in 37 years, the Jefferson County Tax Assessor’s Office has completed a comprehensive countywide resurvey that has modernized parcel data that will impact more than 600,000 residents and departments such as the Board of Equalization. The tax map is the foundation for some of the county’s most important functions, from emergency services to the U.S. Postal Service and every municipality in the county. Read more.

by Barnett Wright, The Birmingham Times

Alabama Pharmacists Urge Lawmakers to Pass HB238

Supporters of the legislation say it would create a more transparent reimbursement system for struggling pharmacies. The bill's opponents worry it could drive up insurance costs.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

Birmingham Council Gives $5M Toward Public Health Data System

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $5 million for a nonprofit research organization to develop a public health data system program that will leverage personalized medical data as well as data from clinical trials to help patients get the best care available. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

Where Do Your Dollars Go?

Mayor Randall Woodfin stood in front of a crowd Monday night holding up a dollar bill. The city spends 75 cents of every dollar on personnel, with just a quarter going to Birmingham’s operating budget, he told the residents and officials gathered. Birmingham officials held the town hall — during which Woodfin explained the city’s budget process and residents had a chance to voice their interests — as the city prepares to create a new budget, for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Council President Darrell O'Quinn said that, to the best of his knowledge, Monday’s event, held at Boutwell Auditorium, was the first such budget town hall city leaders have done. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

Special Elections Set to Replace Former Rep. John Rogers; Rogers Officially Resigns

John Rogers officially has resigned from the Alabama Legislature after more than 40 years representing his district, and the governor Monday set a special primary election for June 18 and general election for Oct. 1 to choose his replacement. Read more.

by Virginia Martin