Video: Jeffco. looks at layoffs
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County Lobbying Pkg
County Lobbying Pkg
Published: January 25, 2009
Updated: January 26, 2009
JEFFERSON CO., Ala—From possible county job cuts to a contract that stacks up to $950,000 to hire a lobbying firm, these are just some of the issues Jefferson County Commissioners will tackle in the new work week.
Commission President Bettye Fine Collins acknowledges that possible Jefferon County jobs could be cut sooner rather than later. This news comes in the midst of a county that’s currently dealing with a $ 3.2 billion dollar sewer debt, an occupational sales tax lawsuit ruling that prevents the county from spending 7 million dollars a month and now, declining sales tax revenues to name a few.
These are just some of the financial issues plaguing the already cash-strapped county and the same reasons pushing Jefferson County Commissioners William Bell, Bettye Fine Collins and Shelia Smoot to consider hiring a Washington D.C. base lobbyist. The lobbyist firm, Brook Hill Partners will be tasked with fighting to secure federal funds to help the county.
“Bottom-line, this is first come first serve and we (Jefferson County) want to be ahead of the line and this will do it for us, that’s what convinces me . Spending this amount of money for a half a billion or a billion in incentives is worth it,” Commissioner Shelia Smoot said.
To hear what other Jefferson County Commissioner have to say about this issue and what departments would be first to see possible job cuts, please click on the video player above.
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Reader Reactions
I agree with the previous post. We have too many commishioners for the amount of work they get done. Get rid of two and their staffs. ( Collins and Smoot ) would be a good start.
Well, a good idea to start with would be to fire 2 of the commission members and have only 3. That would save a great deal of money in itself. Also show those others that must lose their jobs that at least this broken down commission is doing something good. I live in another state and read about Birmingham a great deal. I have never seen anything like this city,county system other than Atlanta and Clayton County just outside of Atlanta. I think the best idea for Birmingham and Jefferson County would be to get rid of all the commissioners and hire/elect some kindergarden kids, sure could be no worse. Of course, let their parents make the decisions, since the kids would not be able to handle the money issues. At least the parents have to live most likely payday to payday so they would be able to understand the issues involved. AMEN….and good luck!
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