During Tuesday's broadcast of Talk 99.5 FM's "Leland Live," Jeff Brumlow, a board member with Central Alabama Water, spoke about the new water works board.
Brumlow discussed both crimes and contract issues that have made headlines, took call-in questions and stressed that the board is looking forward rather than back as it works to provide the best service to its customers.
The new board started in May 2025 following the passage of Senate Bill 330, introduced by State Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook). Brumlow was appointed by the Shelby County Commission.
"I'm from Shelby not [just] for Shelby," Brumlow explained. "I point out that difference, because I'm not appointed to represent Shelby County. I'm appointed to represent every customer of the Central Alabama Water."
While much of the interview and the caller's questions focused on the challenges the new board has faced and the problems uncovered, Brumlow took a positive approach to the changes. He explained that the new board views its users as customers rather than ratepayers.
"I'm not here to throw shade on the past boards; we just want to get it right," Brumlow said early in the interview in response to a question related to past problems.
Brumlow provided additional details on the stories, noting that the previously reported copper theft involved new copper stolen still on the rolls.
He also stressed that cuts have included not just philanthropic or charitable giving but also other contracts.
Last month, the utility cut its contract with Fine Geddie. The move followed an earlier cut of The Jones Group, which the board's lawyers deemed a conflict of interest because the firm also represents the City of Birmingham, which is suing the state and current board members, calling the board's reconstitution illegal.
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"Fine Geddie who is a fantastic lobby firm," he said, "It was still one of those things $10,000 month here and $10,000 there and all of a sudden you're spending real money. All of our customers consider $10,000 a lot."
"We just need to show everybody, we're going to protect our customers' money as best we can, and not have a lot of these contracts," Brumlow added.
He detailed the work at Lake Purdy Dam and assured listeners that the dam was safe.
"It is safe, we've got people looking at it day by day," explaining what qualifies as a high-risk dam. It's not a structural statement.
Brumlow addressed a question about the challenges posed by estimated meter readings, noting that the new board is addressing them head-on and working to eliminate them.
A caller asked whether past problems related to mismanagement stemmed from corruption. Brumlow said he did not believe so.
"I'm not aware of any criminal conduct, anything that has risen to the level of criminal conduct, on any of the management matters," explaining, "I'm figuring out where we were in the past, where the problems were, so that we know where we are and where we need to get to. And we want to make the future incredibly bright for Central Alabama Water."
"We're focused on the future," he added.
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