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.

The Jefferson County Commission moved matters to the agenda of Thursday’s meeting that addressed an original mission of county government.

But County Manager Cal Markert acknowledged that the fulfilment of a later mission is on the horizon.

Markert presented resolutions using American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase upgrades to emergency management systems in four fire departments in unincorporated Jefferson County. Read more.