JEFFERSON CO., Ala.-- More than 30 key business owners and leaders in Jefferson County gathered to support a new grassroots organization aimed at pushing for a quick solution to Jefferson County’s looming $3.2 billion sewer debt.
On Tuesday, the group called “JeffCo Can” unveiled a 3-point plan that members believe will save the county from bankruptcy and boost accountability in future financial transactions regarding the county’s sewer debt.
Various business leaders, along with former Jefferson County Commissioner George Bowman, gathered at The Summit Club to hear the group’s action plan. The new organization is led by local developer Slade Blackwell.
JeffCo Can is proposing a 3-point plan that will:
1. Restructure current taxes collected to reduce the sewer debt.
2. Create a non-political independent sewer management board.
3. Negotiate the current $3.2 billion sewer debt with creditors.
“It’s a national embarrassment for our county to be in this situation and we need to solve it now,” Blackwell said.
Jefferson County has spent more than a year negotiating with creditors on how to pay its $3.2 billion sewer debt. In the past, majority of the county’s commissioners have strongly stood against filing for bankruptcy. Recently, commissioners told NBC 13 HD News that talks to resolve the debt were at a standstill.
“We don’t need any more excuses, we need results and that's what JeffCo Can is about. Our plan is a balanced approach and we are calling on our elected officials our business leaders and citizens of Jefferson County to work together to be a part of this solution. The longer the sewer problem goes unresolved, the less our county will thrive and the more likely our children will be burden with this debt.” Blackwell said.
“It's about time, I think it's a wonderful move, I don't know what the men have said but certainly we have lacked the strong support of the corporate community in this county,” Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins said.
The groups says their plan does not include any new taxes nor does it take money away from the county's schools.
Click here to take a closer look at the JeffCo can sewer debt proposal.
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