Sewer taken off of Jefferson co payroll

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Jefferson County officials say their court-appointed sewer system receiver is off the county payroll after being paid more than $1 million.

Commissioner Jimmie Stephens says a review of 90 days of county payouts to vendors showed no money going to John S. Young, whose power over the troubled sewer system was limited earlier this month by an Alabama bankruptcy judge.

The Birmingham News reports that Young legally remains the receiver, but has little authority.

Jefferson County filed the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in December after three years of negotiations failed to resolve a massive debt linked to borrowing for the county's sewer system. County officials struggled with Young, who had suggested the possibility of steep hikes for ratepayers.