Jefferson County First Anniversary Bankruptcy Check-up

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2013/06/jeffco-seal.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:400;s:6:"height";i:200;s:4:"file";s:23:"2013/06/jeffco-seal.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:4:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jeffco-seal-336x168.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:168;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jeffco-seal-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"jeffco-seal-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jeffco-seal-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:71479;s:14:"optimized_size";i:50977;s:7:"percent";d:28.68;}s:5:"sizes";a:6:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:51:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/06/jeffco-seal.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:20651;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11298;s:7:"percent";d:45.289999999999999;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/06/jeffco-seal-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:9394;s:14:"optimized_size";i:9018;s:7:"percent";d:4;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/06/jeffco-seal-336x168.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:12529;s:14:"optimized_size";i:7896;s:7:"percent";d:36.979999999999997;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/06/jeffco-seal-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:4259;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4007;s:7:"percent";d:5.9199999999999999;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/06/jeffco-seal-300x200.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:16607;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11043;s:7:"percent";d:33.5;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/06/jeffco-seal-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:8039;s:14:"optimized_size";i:7715;s:7:"percent";d:4.0300000000000002;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1656005741 
1352419200

Friday is the first anniversary of Jefferson County filing the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. The $4.1 billion dollar filling last year, mostly debt on the county’s sewer system, attracted a lot of attention. But with the case now working through bankruptcy court, it’s fallen off the radar a bit.

A year ago, WBHM’s Andrew Yeager spoke with Samford University law professor Michael Floyd about Jefferson County’s bankruptcy. They spoke again for a one-year check-up. Floyd says the proposed sewer rate increase county commissioners passed Tuesday is an important step.

Click here to listen to the extended interview

Interview Highlights

On how much Jefferson County will ultimately pay to creditors:

“There are some numbers that suggest maybe we end up with about half of the debt, seem to be around $1.5 billion, $1.6 billion, something like that. Although we’re still several steps away from really having a number for that.”

On whether Jefferson County has made progress this last year:

“The issues related to the bankruptcy reflect some progress. The larger governance issues about the constitution and the state government and the lack of home rule remain deeply troubling. While I’m encouraged by the progress through the bankruptcy process and I’m encouraged by what I see from our leadership on the commission, we still have a lot to do in terms of a better structure of government. And that’s separate and apart from the bankruptcy process.”

On how much longer bankruptcy will take:

“It remains to be seen whether we’ll get out before we have a second anniversary. I’m hopeful that we will, but that depends on a number of variables that we don’t have control over.”

~ Andrew Yeager, November 9, 2012

 

Home sales just posted their slowest May in 16 years

There are 20% more homes for sale this May — but it hasn't been enough to pull buyers off the sidelines amid high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty.

Climate change is boosting the risk of sleep apnea

Hotter temperatures make breathing problems during sleep more likely, even when it's not extremely hot

The David Lynch estate auction doubled as a caffeinated wake

Most of the bidding action was online. But at a ritzy Beverly Hills hotel, hopeful bidders united by genuine affection for Lynch admired the tools of the late artist's trade. It was a mirthful wake.

An AI video ad is making a splash. Is it the future of advertising?

The over-the-top ad combines the energy of Grand Theft Auto with the drama of the NBA Finals — all created by AI. Is it a sign of things to come?

‘It’s such a dream’: Top high school performers step out on Broadway

With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year's top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.

Tick risks vary by region. Here’s where diseases have spread and how to stay safe

Tick bites are are on the rise this and they can carry some nasty illnesses. Which are most common depends where you live. Here's what to know to protect yourself.

More Government Coverage