Jefferson County Commission

JeffCo Commission to Steve Ammons: ‘Now It’s Time to Say Goodbye’

The Jefferson County Commission today bid farewell to Steve Ammons, who attended his final commission meeting as a member of that body. Ammons recently announced that he’s stepping down from the commission to be the CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. Commissioner Lashunda Scales acknowledged that she and Ammons didn’t always get along when they began their time together. But their relationship has improved, she said. “We started being oil and water and we're ending being nothing more than balsamic vinegar,” Scales said. “Sounds just like grease,” Commissioner Joe Knight joked as Scales continued. Read more. Watch slideshow.

Not Now, JeffCo Commission Tells Advocates Who Want Biking/Walking Trail Along Diaper Row

Bryce Stephens left the Jefferson County Courthouse a bit disappointed this morning, learning that he’ll have to wait before his vision of improving pedestrian and bicycle traffic along 21st Avenue South can come to reality. “It's complicated,” said Stephens, president of the Red Mountain Cut Foundation. “Birmingham would like to handle it a different way. I think they support the improvements on the street. I think that is no question.” Stephens had hoped that the County Commission would make the appropriate approval for the county to apply for a federal TAP grant. 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

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.

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.

Suit Accuses Jefferson County of Racial Gerrymandering in Commission Districts

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens said the commission is not guilty of illegally packing Black voters into two districts to limit the influence of Blacks, as it is accused in a federal lawsuit filed Friday. The lawsuit accuses the commission of intentionally packing Black voters into two supermajority Black commission districts based in and around Birmingham. The commission over the past decade, the lawsuit maintains, has siphoned Black voters living in the suburbs into those two districts to prevent them from exercising greater political power in surrounding districts. Read more.

Not So Fast: JeffCo Tables Support for Innovation Depot

Commissioner Steve Ammons expressed disappointment after the Jefferson County Commission tabled a proposal of more than $1.6 million to support Innovation Depot. The commission voted 3-2 Thursday to table the matter until May 25, with Ammons and Commissioner Sheila Tyson voting no. “I am disappointed because it puts it off that much longer,” said Ammons, the chair of the commission’s economic development committee. “Innovation Depot is working on a new strategy and their ability to get at it sooner than later is important." Read more.

County Considering $1.6M to Support Innovation Depot, Other Econ Dev Projects

Following a presentation from Innovation Depot, the Jefferson County Commission Tuesday moved to its Thursday meeting agenda a package of more than $1.6 million supporting the business accelerator. Brooke Gillis, CEO of Innovation Depot, told commissioners about the depot’s aim to nurture the efforts of entrepreneurs so that their businesses can grow beyond the walls of the business center in downtown Birmingham. Read more.