Jefferson County Commission

JeffCo Considering $2M for New Coca-Cola Development

Jefferson County during its meeting Thursday will consider being part of an economic development project that will create a new gateway in and out of Birmingham. Representatives of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United asked the commission for an economic incentive package of $2 million as the company looks to relocate from its longtime home north of Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport to the former Stockham Valves and Fittings location in Birmingham’s Kingston Neighborhood. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Allots $90,000 for Displays Highlighting History of Bham Barons

The Jefferson County Commission voted Thursday to play ball with a baseball historian, approving $90,000 for displays at Regions Field that will commemorate former members of the Birmingham Barons. Kenneth Cunningham, deputy director of the Negro Southern League Museum, said the project will produce walk-around exhibits at the ballpark the Barons currently call home. “When visitors attend games, we’re going to have displays along the concourse,” he said. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Missed Garbage Pickup Is No Joke for Frustrated Residents

Joe Knight demonstrated Tuesday that he can deliver a punchline. County Commission President Jimmie Stephens told his fellow commissioners during Tuesday’s committee meeting that former Commissioner David Carrington called Sunday to say his garbage had not been collected. “That was intentional,” Knight quipped as the room erupted in laughter. But missed garbage pickup is no laughing matter for commissioners and others who are fielding countless complaint calls, not to mention the people making those calls. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

DA Raises Prosecutors’ Salaries to Retain Staff

District Attorney Danny Carr told the Jefferson County Commission on Thursday that he is adjusting the salaries of his deputy district attorneys to help hold onto his veteran crew of prosecutors. “It’s hard to keep a good lawyer who sees what we see every day, who takes home what we take home every day and does what we have to do under the most strenuous circumstances, in all honesty, making $50,000-something a year,” Carr said. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jefferson Commission Cuts Time It Takes to Help Cities with Storm Debris

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday voted to reduce the time it may take for a municipality to be approved to receive assistance in debris removal in a disaster. It also approved funding for two organizations to help small businesses and delayed voting on a grant request for Midfield’s Senior Center. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Two Economic Development Agencies Set to Get $100,000 Apiece From JeffCo

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday is set to provide $200,000 to a pair of organizations to bolster small businesses in the county. Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance and Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama each is in line for $100,000 to aid with innovation, economic development and building a strong workforce to support the growth and development of Jefferson County. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

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.

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

Commissioner Tyson Calls Path to Bill on Filling Vacancies “Sneaky”

Sheila Tyson said Thursday that lobbyists for Jefferson County did not alert her and fellow commissioners about legislation she opposes. Tyson said commissioners were told about House Bill 191 on Tuesday, a day before the matter was considered by a legislative committee. That bill — introduced by Rep. Jim Carns, Vestavia Hills — would allow the governor to appoint a replacement when there is an off-cycle opening on the commission. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.