The Birmingham Water Works Board didn’t have the authority to transfer assets to the City of Birmingham after a law changing its governance was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Marshall told 1819 News on Thursday, “We do not believe the former directors of the Birmingham Water Works Board had the legal authority to vote on the transfer of assets to the City of Birmingham. Under Alabama law, their removal took effect immediately upon the enactment of SB330.”
“Our office remains committed to upholding the law and protecting the people of Alabama from politically motivated decisions that jeopardize essential public services,” Marshall said.
The Birmingham City Council voted at a special-called meeting on Thursday to ratify a purchase agreement to buy the assets of the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) despite a new law changing it into a regional board being signed into law on Wednesday. The Birmingham Water Works Board also approved the sale at a special-called meeting on Wednesday night.
According to WBRC, the City would, under the purchase agreement under discussion, assume the BWWB’s liabilities and assets for a purchase price of $1.
Ivey signed the bill on Wednesday afternoon.
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