- Jefferson County Budget hearings have concluded, and the new Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating & Capital Budgets were approved in today’s Commission meeting. Budget documents will be posted to the county’s website once the Commission meeting minutes are finalized.
- Commissioners also approved a resolution to update a current contract already in place for $75,000 with Roads and Transportation and Pileum Corporation to install cameras and monitor illegal dump sites within unincorporated areas. (This is not a new contract, just updating an existing one)
- Commissioners also approved the following district funds grants:
- Commission District 1: (Commissioner Lashunda Scales)
- Community Grant Program Agreement with The Penny Foundation providing funds for $97,000 to promote HBCU's and higher learning opportunities for underserved youth through various music education events and cultural arts programs.
- Commission District 2: (Commissioner Sheila Tyson)
- Community Grant Program Agreement with The Birmingham Sister City Commission of Birmingham Alabama for $5,000, to assist with its programs to facilitate the cultural and educational exchange workshops for Jefferson County youth.
- Community Grant Program Agreement with Step-by-Step Foundation for $30,000, to assist with its Beyond the Game Program for Jefferson County youth and young adults.
- Commission District 3: (Commissioner Jimmie Stephens)
- Community Grant Program Agreement with McCalla Youth Athletic Association for $32,000 to assist with funding for the Ballpark Field Laser Grading and Drainage Improvements Project.
- Commission District 4: (Commissioner Joe Knight)
- Community Grant Program Agreement with the Jefferson County E 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District for $15,000, to assist with the purchase of Starlink remote kits.
- Community Grant Program Agreement with the Jefferson County Board of Education for $6,000, to assist Irondale Middle School with the furnishing of their data and professional development rooms.
- During presentations, Commissioner Knight joined County Commissioners to acknowledge and welcome the new President and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dan Williams. With over 30 years of experience and being honored to bring his talents from the Columbus, Ohio, community to Birmingham, Mr. Williams said he is “...excited to work with each of the Commissioners to help push Jefferson County and create the tourism economy that we will all want.”
- The Commissioners and Jim Coker, Director of the Jefferson County EMA, recognized members of the County’s IT GIS team, specifically April Pearce, for their collaboration and digital support, which has provided invaluable information to citizens. Warning systems the GIS team created with Ed Jones at the EMA have become a model for other counties to use. Specific projects include:
- Interactive community shelter maps and warning systems
- Interactive dashboard during the World Police and Fire Games that tracked events across 4 counties, venue readiness, and traffic via Waze for citizens
- That dashboard is now being changed to help indicate storm damage, road closures and other information during emergency events.
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