News Summary
The Birmingham Regional Water Board is now fully appointed with four new members ahead of its inaugural meeting. The board restructuring has led to a legal challenge from the City of Birmingham against a law that altered the board’s composition. The new appointees include Tommy Hudson, Jarvis Patton Sr., Sheila Tyson, and David Standridge, aiming for improved governance and regional representation in water services. A federal hearing is scheduled to address the city’s lawsuit against the new law.
Birmingham – The newly formed Birmingham Regional Water Board is now fully appointed, with four new members joining the ranks ahead of its inaugural meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. This comes as the City of Birmingham prepares to legally challenge a recently enacted law that has restructured the water board.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed Tommy Hudson to the board, who has a background in economic and industrial development. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin selected Jarvis Patton Sr., a former Chief Operations Officer under ex-mayor William Bell. The Birmingham City Council appointed Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, known for her pressure on customer service issues at the Birmingham Water Works Board. Additionally, Blount County commissioners chose State Representative David Standridge for the board. Overall, the newly established board will consist of seven members, combining appointees from various local authorities.
Hudson, who has served on the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Board, fulfills the requirement of having a business background as mandated by the new law. Tyson’s appointment marks her as a vocal advocate for community members, focusing on improving service concerns. Patton’s previous leadership experience adds further expertise to the governance of regional water services. Standridge and Tyson’s eligibility under the new regulations ensures diverse representation.
The restructuring of the Birmingham Water Works Board is a crucial shift from city-majority control to a more regional approach, which allocates two seats for Birmingham representatives and five for appointees from surrounding jurisdictions. This change aims to enhance representation for suburban areas, empowering voices from outside the city limits in decisions affecting regional water resources.
Despite these appointments, the City of Birmingham has expressed strong opposition to the changes brought on by the law, which took effect on May 7. The City Council has filed a lawsuit against Governor Ivey, contesting the legality of this regionalization process. They have also approved a resolution against any amendments that could alter the water board’s certificate of incorporation, showcasing an ongoing conflict between assertive city governance and newly crafted legislative frameworks.
In response to the city’s legal challenges, a federal hearing is scheduled for May 15, where a request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction regarding the new law will be considered. The outcome of these proceedings will likely have significant implications for the newly constituted water board.
The appointments come with aspirations for enhanced governance and service improvements. Tyson reaffirmed her dedication to representing citizen interests, pledging to carry forward her commitment. Patton conveyed his sense of duty and privilege to contribute to the board’s efforts.
The developments surrounding the Birmingham Regional Water Board signify not only a change in board composition but also underline the tensions within local governance in addressing water service issues. As Birmingham confronts these challenges head-on, the actions and decisions made in the coming days will shape the future of regional water management.
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Additional Resources
- WBRC: New Appointments Fill Out Birmingham Regional Water Board
- Birmingham Times: Birmingham’s Sheila Tyson & Jarvis Patton Round Out Newly Formed BWWB
- Al.com: Our Hands Being Forced: 2 New Members Named to Birmingham’s Controversial Water Works Board
- CBS 42: Appointments Made to Fill Birmingham Regional Water Board
- Yellowhammer News: Governor Ivey & Mayor Woodfin Make Appointments to Finalize Regional Water Works Board
- Wikipedia: Water Management in Alabama
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
