https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2024/01/jefferson-county-caps-sewer-rate-hikes-creates-fund-to-help-customers-with-bills-repairs.html

Residents in Alabama’s largest county for years have lamented their monthly sewer bills, yearly rate increases, and a lack of aid for people unable to afford the rising costs.

Jefferson County commissioners and their finance team recently completed a refinancing of $2.24 billion in county sewer debt, a move that could provide a bit of relief for customers. Part of the transaction will set aside money to create a customer assistance program.

“It helped stabilize our sewer rates going forward and gives us the opportunity now to establish a sewer assistance program,” Jimmie Stephens, president of the Jefferson County Commission, told AL.com. “So it gives us increased flexibility, it normalizes our debt and our system.”