Jefferson County’s sewer debt started with a mandatory, massive system overhaul after a 1997 consent agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency.

The construction work is completed but the county is still not in full compliance, according to Young.

The project, with nine wastewater treatment plants, was mired in a corruption and bribery scandal that led to convictions of 26 individuals and five businesses, netting them probation to 15-year sentences and about $48 million in fines and restitution.

JPMorgan agreed to pay the Securities and Exchange Commission $75 million in penalties and to forfeit $647 million in fees.