Lawmaker pre-files bill to eliminate JeffCo manager position | News

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- It looks like the battle between Jefferson County lawmakers and county commissioners may continue once the Alabama legislature resumes business next week.

A number of bills have been pre-filed which may cause issues between the two groups.

Birmingham Rep. John Rogers has filed bills to take the indigent care fund away from the county. The money has been used to fund Cooper Green Mercy Urgent Care. Rogers would give it to the city of Birmingham, the state health department or a healthcare authority to control.

Another bill by Birmingham Rep. Mary Moore would end the county manager's job. So far there are no bills to help the financially strapped county financial problem. Thursday a number Jefferson County Commissioners voiced support for keeping the county manager's position.

"The commissioners haven't taken their hands off the day to day operations. They haven't given the county manager full authority to operate," Rep. Moore said.

"I personally ran on supporting the county manager form of government. When I was at Vestavia I supported the city manager form of governance. I'm very supportive of the county manager form," David Carrington, President of the Jefferson County Commission, said.

Homewood Rep. Paul DeMarco says there is no support for Moore's bill in the delegaton.

"The county manager form of government has worked well. The relationship between the commission and the county manager's office has allowed us to begin reforming many of the systemic problems that have plagued the county for decades. Lawmakers supported passage of the county manager form of government and I am confident that support will remain strong," Petelos said.

Carrington says the county is not pushing for new revenue bills at this time. Commissioner Joe Knight says the county is preparing to run county government through cuts and existing revenue. Moore says there is no support for giving the commissioners additional tax powers to fund county government.

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