Government

Jefferson County Substantially Increases Penalty for Violating Zoning Laws

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday amended its zoning ordinance to increase the penalty for violations. As a result of recent state legislation, the commission was able to make violating the county’s zoning ordinance a Class B misdemeanor. Such violations are now punishable by as much as 180 days in jail and a fine of as much as $3,000. Previously, the penalty was a $100 fine and no more than 10 days in jail. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Rep. John Rogers Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Obstruction of Justice Charges

Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of obstruction of justice on Thursday at the Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse in Birmingham. Rogers was released after being processed by the U.S. Marshals on a $5,000 bond. Prosecutors allege that Rogers diverted public money from a youth baseball league to an assistant. Read more.

by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector

When Is a Cut Not a Cut? JeffCo and Sheriff Disagree

Jefferson County doesn’t see eye-to-eye with its sheriff concerning a recent budget change. In a release Thursday, Sheriff Mark Pettway said the Jefferson County Commission had frozen 30% of the Sheriff’s Office Budget for fiscal year 2024. Pettway equated the action to “defund(ing) law enforcement.” The public information officer of Jefferson County responded with its own release that said Pettway misstated the county’s action. According to the county release, the commission requested a freeze of 30% of all funded existing job vacancies throughout the county system for fiscal 2024. “As has been well documented throughout multiple industries, including local government, filling positions is challenging,” the county release read. “Tying up public funds by budgeting for positions that you are unlikely to fill within a fiscal year prevents us from using those funds to instead address operational or capital needs. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Hey Bidder Bidder: JeffCo Commission Decides $550K in Allotments From Surplus

Joe Knight appeared to add auctioneer to his resume as he led his fellow Jefferson County commissioners in assigning money for disbursement that was left over from the fiscal 2023 budget. When the hour-long discussion was done at the end of Tuesday’s commission committee meeting, $550,000 of the $1.4 million had been allotted to entities that had sought county support. Final approval will come during Thursday’s commission meeting. The leftover money, which was placed in the county’s contingency fund, had been $1.9 million before the commission syphoned $500,000 from it to the Birmingham Business Resource Center during its last meeting. Requests for help totaled $2.576 million. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Alabama Finally Has a New Congressional Map After a Lengthy Legal Fight

The lines on Alabama’s congressional map have shifted — along with some of the state’s political power. After a high-profile legal fight that lasted roughly two years, a panel of three federal judges on Thursday picked a map that will be used when Alabamians cast their 2024 vote for who will represent them in the U.S. House. The new map adds a second congressional district where Black voters’ preferred candidate is projected to win a majority of the time. Read more.

by Stephan Bisaha, WBHM

Grant Could Streamline Recycling Pickup in Birmingham

Birmingham has accepted a grant to revamp the city’s recycling program so residents can opt in or opt out of recycling, making pickup more efficient. The grant for more than $750,000 comes from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Recycling Fund. It will pay for trucks, bins and educational and training programs. The idea is to restructure curbside recycling collection so people can register for recycling service or opt out. The city then would determine special routes for picking up recycling from those who want the service. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

Remarks on the Roundabout

Jefferson County Roads and Transportation Director Chris Nicholson talks about the newly completed roundabout at Old Leeds, Grant’s Mill and Karl Daly roads.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Approves $500K for Business That Helps Other Businesses Develop

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday gave $500,000 to Birmingham Business Resource Center.   Finance Committee Chairman Joe Knight and Commissioner Mike Bolin voted against the measure, just as they did during Tuesday’s commission committee meeting. BBRC had been on a list of entities to be considered for funds left over from the fiscal 2023 budget. At Commissioner Sheila Tyson’s request, the BBRC funding was added to the commission’s agenda to be considered separately. “I still voted no,” Knight said following Thursday’s session. “Had it been considered with the rest of them, I would have considered something for him. I'm not sure it'd been $500,000, but I would have considered. Read more. 

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Rep. John Rogers Indicted on 2 Counts of Obstruction of Justice

Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, was indicted Wednesday on two counts of obstruction of justice and obstruction of justice by bribery. Read more.

by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector

JeffCo Commission to Consider Funding for Business Expansion Company

Joe Knight expressed concern about an appropriation that will be on the agenda of Thursday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting, fearing that it would set a precedent. “That should have been grouped with the rest of them (funding requests),” the commission’s finance committee chairman said. “That was my concern.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.