Defining Day for Jeffco Billion Dollar Sewer Debt

  Jefferson County commissioners said Friday could be a turning point in efforts to settle $3.2 billion dollars in sewer system debt.

    Another debt payment is due. Commissioners have said it’s not clear if that payment will be made, or if Governor Bob Riley will strike a deal to delay it or settle with creditors.  Commissioners say the Governor’s efforts will last a few weeks.  If no debt plan is reached, Jefferson County will likely file for bankruptcy.

    Alabama Attorney General Troy King ruled a Jefferson County advisory election is not legal under Alabama law.
The election would have allowed the public to vote on debt solution options.

    The Jefferson County Commission voted 3-2 to put a series of sewer debt-related questions on the ballot as a non-binding referendum for November 4th so that Jefferson County residents could voice their opinions on what options the county should consider to resolve $3.2 billion in sewer debt.

The majority behind the public vote said residents should have their voices heard.  The commissioners against it said the effort is a waste of county money because voter opinion has already been guaged at a series of public sewer crisis meetings held in recent weeks.