Birmingham, AL - With four of the five Jefferson County Commissioners not returning next year, the county is in for more big changes.  The current commission will leave behind a slew of issues it has not solved for the five person team that could be comprised of rookies.

"Well, I think they'll have to do a quick study," said Commissioner Jim Carns.

Frustrated after three years of what he calls attempts to bring change to Jefferson County, Carns is ready to pass his seat to someone else.

"You can't do something with a mess that we inherited here and it has been a mess," he said.

It is a mess that includes a $3.2 billion sewer debt.  Carns considers his department, Environmental Service, the most challenging to grasp. He says there are so many "moving parts."

"A consent decree, you've got the financial problems, you've got other problems coming in that are being talked about on clean water standards," Carns said.

"I don't care how many people they hire to run this county.  I don't care how many commissioners they have. I don't care what form of government they have," said Commission President Bettye Fine Collins.  "If this commission does not have home rule things are going to always be just like this because we can not manage our own financial affairs."

Collins says she does not envy the new class of commissioners. It faces additional sources of debt and a legal challenge to the new occupational tax now keeping the county afloat.

"Apparently only one commissioner is seeking reelection and that says it all," said Collins.

Bobby Humphryes now plans to run for Commission President.  His predecessor says she hopes the position will be kinder to him than it has been to her.

"I just hope that labels won't be attached to them that have been attached to this commission," said collins.

Carns says he plans to put forward a candidate to succeed him and help that person get elected.  He says he will also offer guidance after than new commissioner takes office.

 

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