roads

(Joe Songer/jsonger@al.com).

(JOE SONGER)

The Alabama Senate today passed a bill to reallocate proceeds from the county's 1-cent sales tax paving the way for road repairs, additional school funding and economic development in Jefferson County.

The legislation now awaits the governor's signature.

County officials say the bill also provides revenue for transit and other needs that have not been met because of the county's bankruptcy and loss of the occupational tax.

"This means a new beginning for the county . . . this allows us to invest in the future of the county," Commission President Jimmie Stephens said.

County leaders will spend on infrastructure and "making sure the pathways to and from our schools are safe; to and from work are safe," Stephens said. "It allows us money for economic development to grow our tax base and to give people a reason to live in Jefferson County."

The bill passed the Senate 24-2, according to the Legislature's Alison system.

A Senate committee approved the bill this week on a 6-0 vote after it had passed the House of Representatives.

The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Oliver Robinson, D-Birmingham.

After debt payments, the bill would allocate revenue from the tax, in order of priority:

-- Up to $36.3 million to the Jefferson County Commission general fund, to be spent at the discretion of the County Commission.

-- Up to $18 million to a new Sales Tax Fund to be allocated to public schools in the county based on attendance.

-- Up to $3.6 million a year to a new Jefferson County Community Services Fund to be allocated among the county's legislators for spending in their districts, with approval of a new four-member committee appointed by legislators.

-- Up to $2 million a year to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority for 10 years, and up to $1 million a year after.

-- Up to $500,000 a year for the Birmingham Zoo.

Any remainder after those obligations would go to the county General Fund.

The Jefferson County Commission approved a 1-cent sales tax in 2004 to fund a $1 billion school construction program.

Robinson said about $560 million remains of that debt. The debt is scheduled to be paid off by about 2024.

Robinson's bill is based on revenue that would be raised by refinancing the debt over 30 years.

The plan drew opposition from those who said money in the bill for legislators was "pork."

Also against the bill were some Hoover city officials and two Birmingham area residents including Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham who called the bill "irresponsible," saying that the county has not managed taxpayer money well.