JeffCo to consider ending sewer rate hike mandate
Birmingham Business Journal - by Crystal Jarvis Staff
Jefferson County Commissioner Jim Carns wants to put a stop to the automatic sewer rate increases that are mandated by an 11-year-old ordinance.
Carns, who is an advocate of filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy to solve the county’s current sewer debt debacle, introduced a resolution during an Environmental Services Committee meeting Wednesday that would reverse a 1997 ordinance that allows automatic sewer rate increases. It was approved by the committee and will be brought before the commission Tuesday.
Carns estimated rates would increase 20 percent under the ordinance.
“The people have suffered enough and it’s time to put a stop to out-of-control rate increases,” Carns said in a written statement. “No longer will commissioners be able to stand behind an outdated resolution that legitimizes annual increases on rate payers who are already paying too much.”
Jefferson County officials have battled with the municipality’s mounting sewer debt problems that started earlier this year after a portion the county’s adjustable-rate bonds collapsed amid the economic crisis.
Latest News |
