Back to the top. Lawyers for Jefferson County have asked the Alabama Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in the county's effort to reduce a court ordered refund of occupational taxes and business license fees collected last year through mid- August.

The county says the near $48 million in refunds Circuit Judge David Rains ordered is excessive--and even if the state's highest court agrees that refunds are due, the most Jefferson County should pay is about $38 million.

If the Alabama Supreme Court upholds Rains' refund orders, the total cost to the county would be $51.8 million through Thursday, plus interest building until the court's ruling.