Government

With Increased Revenue, Woodfin’s Budget Proposal Targets Neighborhoods, Youth, Pay Raises and Transportation

Mayor Randall Woodfin revealed his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year on Tuesday, highlighting its “laser focus commitment” on neighborhood revitalization and youth support services. The proposed $554.8 million budget is significantly larger than last year’s $522.3 million budget, thanks in part to projected increases in business tax revenue (up $12.3 million from last year) and property tax revenue (up $2.8 million). But Woodfin’s proposed budget reflects few differences in priority from the previous year. Read more.

Whoa Nelly!: Plans for a Special Election to Fill Commission Seat Won’t Be Made Until After the End of May

It’s tempting to put the cart before the horse when it comes to determining a successor to District 5 Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons. But prospective voters will have to hold their horses before learning the specifics of the special election that will take place this summer. Probate Judge James P. Naftel II said the process begins when there is actually an opening. Ammons gave his notice of resignation May 5 to become CEO for the Birmingham Business Alliance. His resignation is effective May 31, so the clock starts then. Read more.

Ammons Resigns from Jeffco Commission, Will Head Birmingham Business Alliance

Ammons Says It Wasn’t His Day Despite the News of His Resigning to Become BBA CEO

Bham Kicks in $1.3M to Build Restaurant in Downtown Parking Deck

A Birmingham restaurant will receive $1.3 million in city incentives to renovate part of a downtown parking deck into a 5,760-square-foot eatery. Yo’ Mama’s, a counter-serve restaurant that has operated on Second Avenue South since 2014, will take over the ground floor of the city-owned Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 3, at 2098 Fourth Avenue North. The deck was initially constructed in 1976 and expanded in 2009, but that expansion left an incomplete, street-level retail space that the Birmingham Parking Authority unsuccessfully attempted to lease out over the subsequent 14 years. Read more.

Ammons Says It Wasn’t His Day Despite the News of His Resigning to Become BBA CEO

Steve Ammons said he is not a bad father looking to upstage his daughter on her graduation day. “This is her day,” the Jefferson County Commissioner said. “This is her day and it's Cinco de Mayo. I am the last.” A host of journalists seeking comment from Ammons might disagree. On the day that daughter Taylor McGill received her associate degree in veterinary tech from Jefferson State Community College, Ammons resigned from the commission and was named the new CEO for the Birmingham Business Alliance, the region’s primary economic development agency. Ammons leaves his post as District 5 commissioner at the end of the month. A special election will be called to select his replacement. He’ll start his new role at BBA on May 30 and will be responsible for leading collaboration among BBA and its community partners across the seven-county region. Read more.

Ammons Resigns from Jeffco Commission, Will Head Birmingham Business Alliance

Ammons Resigns from Jeffco Commission, Will Head Birmingham Business Alliance

Steve Ammons resigned Friday from the Jefferson County Commission and has accepted the position of CEO for the Birmingham Business Alliance, the region’s primary economic development agency.  “I am proud of the work the commission has done and for the support of my fellow commissioners in making Jefferson County a great place to live,” Ammons wrote in his resignation letter. “I have great respect for each of you and am confident in the decisions you will make down the road.”  Read more.

Highland Park Restaurant Plans Set Off Residential Parking Permit Debate

The Birmingham City Council has paved the way for a new restaurant to open in Highland Park, despite residential concerns over traffic and parking capacity. The council approved Tuesday a request to rezone the vacant property at 2614 Highland Ave. to allow for George’s, a new “city tavern” that developers said would hearken back to the nostalgic age of dining. Residents said they already have trouble parking and doubt the neighborhood’s capacity for a full-service restaurant. Read more.

Birmingham City Council Opposes Water Works Bill That Would Dilute Its Influence

The Birmingham City Council has officially announced its opposition to a state bill that would cut two council-appointed seats from the Birmingham Water Works Board, with some councilors saying the Legislature is trying to wrest home rule from the city. House Bill 177, sponsored by Rep. Jim Carns, R-Vestavia Hills, would reduce the number of BWWB seats from nine to seven, removing two of the four currently appointed by the council. Appointment authority over the remaining five seats on the board — two by the mayor of Birmingham and one each by the Jefferson County Mayors Association, the Shelby County Commission and the Blount County Commission — would remain unchanged. On Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a resolution of opposition to the bill. “This bill directly takes away two appointments from the council,” said District 1 Councilor Clinton Woods, who chairs the council’s Governmental Affairs and Public Information Committee. “That basically dilutes our ability to represent our ratepayers, who are the (board’s) largest bloc of ratepayers.” Read more.

Child Advocacy Group Meets With State Leaders as Economic Security Worsens for Alabama Kids

MONTGOMERY — The nonprofit organization Voices for Alabama’s Children is asking state leaders to expand social services for children who are faring worse economically when compared to over a decade ago. Meeting with several state department heads – including Barbara Cooper, secretary for the state Department of Early Childhood Education, Eric Mackey, state superintendent and others – Voices is advocating for a number of policy proposals, including Medicaid expansion, increased funding for mental health services and the state’s First Class Pre-K Program, and more. Read more.

JeffCo Commission Debates Support for Senate Water Works Bill

Lashunda Scales expressed confusion today when a resolution supporting Senate Bill 179 was tabled. The bill was said to affirm the actions taken Tuesday when the Jefferson County Commission approved its billing agreement with the Birmingham Water Works Board. During today’s commission meeting, Steve Ammons moved that the resolution be tabled to get more information. Read more.

Jeffco Commission Approves Billing Agreement with Birmingham Water Works Board

The Jefferson County Commission, in a specially called meeting Tuesday, approved a new billing agreement with the Birmingham Water Works Board. The agreement follows months of negotiation between the two entities.  Birmingham Water Works has served as the billing agent for Jefferson County Environmental Services for residents who are BWWB customers. These bills show both water charges and sewer charges. The sewer charges are based on the water usage for the same billing period.   “We negotiated with them and came to a billing agreement which will allow more dollars available for our sewer repayment and make a more realistic and true cost of sewer billing for our customers,” Commission President Jimmie Stephens said. “It was a cooperative effort. We're proud to partner with the Birmingham Water Works Board on this and to be partners in perhaps future cost-saving methods surrounding the billing of water customers.” Read more.