JeffCo lawmakers spar over county manager's job | News

Some Jefferson County lawmakers continue to spar over the need for a county manager's job.

Today
the Jefferson County legislative delegation took up issues concerning
the county manager and Cooper Green Mercy Health Services.

Birmingham
Rep. Mary Moore has introduced a bill which would eliminate Tony
Petelos' position. Moore contends the county violated a federal consent
decree by not considering more applicants, especially women and African
Americans.

"I'm just disturbed about that. If anybody else was
doing this it would be up in arms. I just think we have turned into a
lawless county," Moore said.

Moore also claims the county
commissioners continue to violate the current law for the job by
interfering in the day to day operations of the county. Jefferson County
Commissioners deny Petelos was hired improperly or they are interfering
in his job.

Homewood Representative Paul DeMarco sponsored the original county manager's job. DeMarco opposes any effort to eliminate it.

"I
think it's the wrong move and I reject the move to repeal the county
manager. The system is working. We needed to change the form of
government in Jefferson County," DeMarco said.

In other business
Wednesday, the delegation approved a bill calling for a quarterly audit
of how money is spent on indigent healthcare. Most of those funds go to
Cooper Green Mercy Health Services to treat the poor. The delegation
removed penalties against county commissioners for failing to do so.

The
taxpayers in Jefferson County will get a chance to weigh in on the
county manager's job. A tentative public hearing has been set for
Monday, March 4.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.