JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — The Jefferson County Commission approved several key measures during its Oct. 9, 2025, meeting, including updates to zoning regulations, housing grant funding, and a resolution supporting the state’s Simplified Seller Use Tax program.
Following a public hearing, commissioners approved the 2025 Zoning Resolution Amendments, presented by Josh Johnson, Director of Development Services. Johnson provided clarification on development regulations related to the Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Map, and Zoning Ordinance.
The amendments align with Forward Together: Jefferson County, AL Comprehensive Plan, adopted at a public hearing on Sept. 11, 2025. The comprehensive plan serves as the county’s long-term development guide, shaped by citizen feedback from community meetings. It promotes context-sensitive development, encourages mixed-use and walkable environments where suitable, and protects rural and agricultural areas in outlying communities.
Commissioners also approved Amendment #1 to the HOME-ARP Grant Agreement between Jefferson County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The modification accepts an additional $5,389 in federal funding, bringing the total grant to $3,602,800. All other terms and conditions of the agreement remain unchanged.
In other business, the commission passed a resolution regarding the Alabama Simplified Seller Use Tax (SSUT) Program, urging the state legislature to oppose any changes that could disrupt the program’s operation or raise questions about its constitutionality.
The SSUT program allows eligible remote sellers and online marketplace facilitators to collect and remit a flat 8% use tax on sales made into Alabama, simplifying the tax process for out-of-state businesses without a physical presence in the state.
Additionally, District 1 Commissioner Lashunda Scales announced a $10,000 Community Grant Program Agreement with the Nadyne G. Johnson Foundation. The funding will support the Magic City Classic 205 Youth Filmmakers Symposium, an educational initiative designed to expose Jefferson County youth to the film industry, scriptwriting, and film production skills.
No other district fund grants were awarded during the meeting.
