By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



While seniors wait to find out how budget cuts will affect local senior centers, municipal leaders are also holding their collective breaths.

Jefferson County provides many services to municipalities, including road and bridge maintenance and mowing services.

Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery said if the county cut road funds, the impact would be significant.

“It would take a city our size all the money you have on paving and keeping those roads up,” he said. “The roads are used so heavily and there are several bridges that have to be maintained.”

Though county law enforcement cuts are not being immediately considered by the Jefferson County Commission, Lowery is concerned about future cuts and how it would impact his own police force.

Fultondale, like other municipalities, will occasionally assist or request assistance from county deputies. Additionally, the county staffs school resource officers at public schools.

Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips said road maintenance is a big concern, but he’s also concerned about the future of the county’s satellite courthouse on Main Street. The commission has said the county’s satellite offices may close to save money.

Thousands of local residents use the facility in lieu of traveling to Birmingham to purchase tags, permits and licenses. “That office is a huge asset to our community and I would hate to see it close,” Phillps said.

Phillips said he would like to see Gov. Bob Riley call a special legislative session this summer to deal with the county’s financial situation. He said the commission should also consider letting individual departments handle the cuts, a tactic that he said worked in Gardendale when the city needed to cut 5 percent.

“The department heads know where the cuts should be and they know what they can do,” he said.

Warrior Mayor Rena Hudson said commissioners and legislators need to work together to find a resolution to correct the county’s occupational tax.

“Something needs to be done and they need to get on the same page,” she said. “I’m hopeful they can straighten it out.”