Birmingham City Councilor William Bell is expected to be seated as a Jefferson County commissioner Wednesday and he could be an important swing vote in the future as commissioners consider how to deal with $3.2 billion of troubled sewer-related debt.
Bell, a Democrat, was the only person running for the office on this week’s ballot. That occurred because current commissioner George Bowman, also a Democrat, failed to obtain enough voters’ signatures to get on the ballot. Bowman, who has been a staunch opponent of bankruptcy for the county, was appointed to the seat by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley after Larry Langford stepped down to become mayor of Birmingham.
Bowman wanted to run for the commission seat Nov. 4 but the local Democratic Party nominated Bell to be placed on the ballot, forcing Bowman to run as an independent. But under Alabama law, the only way Bowman could get on the ballot was to obtain 914 valid voters signatures. He submitted 1,628 signatures, but more than 800 were disqualified, according to the Birmingham News.
The County Commission on Tuesday formally ratified a decision they endorsed last week approving an extension of forbearance agreements with sewer creditors through Dec. 8. Those forbearances delay some payments due on the debt.
A federal court hearing will be held Nov. 17 on whether a receiver for the sewer system should be appointed. Meanwhile, a restructuring plan for the sewer system debt is under consideration.
