Jefferson County commissioners say they hope to have a plan to get out of bankruptcy by June, if not sooner.
Commissioner Sandra Little Brown says the county needs another source of revenue to get out of bankruptcy.BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -
Jefferson County Commissioners say they are close to getting a plan to exiting bankruptcy. Commissioners expect to have a plan by June if not sooner.
The county's financial troubles have added to the return of long lines at county courthouses and annex. Thursday one taxpayer left after seeing the long line.
"I was thinking about coming back tomorrow and try again," Maranda Goode said.
Jefferson County Commissioner Sandra Little Brown said the county needs additional revenue to exit bankruptcy as a way to pay of the billions of dollars the county owes to creditors.
"Taxes, rather it should be occupational tax or a commuter tax. I'm concerned we have a 100,000 people coming into Jefferson County," Brown said.
Commission President David Carrington said the county should have their plan ready soon.
"We are real close to a plan based on how the final months of negotiations go," Carrington said.
The county wants an agreement with as many creditors as possible but some of those creditors who fight the county could be forced to accept lower debt payments by a bankruptcy judge.
"The best thing we can do is work together and negotiate from a position of reason with our creditors," Jimmie Stephens, Jefferson County Commissioner, said.
Some county taxpayers said they are willing to pay more taxes if it improves county services.
"More beneficial to everybody to get in and get out and do what we have to do," Goode said.
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