By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



The Jefferson County Commission is hard at work trying to resolve a $3.2 billion sewer debt, but at least two leaders in north Jefferson County don’t want residents without sewer access to foot the bill.

Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips and Morris Mayor Craig Drummonds said their respective municipalities would likely introduce resolutions in the coming weeks opposing a proposal that would have non-sewer users pay a $30 non-user fee or as much as $20 for in clean water fees to help offset the county’s sewer debt.

The City of Irondale proposed an ordinance this week that would make it illegal for the commission to charge Irondale homeowners a non-user fee, according to published reports.

“I really don’t know what Jefferson County’s going to do, but we’re going to be putting together a resolution opposing the fees,” Drummonds said. “It’s not fair for the residents of Morris to be charged a fee for a sewer we’ve never had access to.”

Similarly, Phillips said Gardendale’s resolution would likely be similar to what other municipalities are likely to pass. He said his office had already received numerous phone calls and e-mails from residents asking the city to take a stand against the fees.

“The mayor and council does oppose a non-user fee and we’re working on a resolution for the next council meeting,” he said.

The proposal to charge the fees came out of a special masters report on how the commission could generate funds to pay off the debt. U.S. District Judge David Proctor selected the special masters in November and were asked to make recommendations on revenue enhancement and expense reductions.

Commission President Bettye Fine Collins said on Friday the State Legislature had the potential to alleviate the sewer debt through a continuation of the one cent sales tax that earned $1.3 billion for school construction projects. Additionally, she said if Gov. Riley could write off $1 billion of the sewer debt, the remainder could be refinanced at a more reasonable fixed rate.

She said there is also much confusion surrounding the sewer debt and the non-user fees and that the commission passed a resolution last year opposing the fees.

However, she said if the commission finds itself in bankruptcy court or receivership, the commission can be ordered to what is required by the courts.

“I myself don’t want to be in contempt of federal court,” Collins said.