PRICHARD, Ala. (WPMI) -The Prichard Water Board has voted to give Severn Trent a letter of intent to sign a 35 million dollar contract.
The company services water for the area.
The decision comes just days before citizens' head to the polls to decide on dissolving the utility company and transferring service to MAWSS.
Representative Napoleon Bracy believes the move is sneaky, unfair, and done out of spite.
"This was a dirty move," said Bracy.
The Prichard Water Board voted to give Severn Trent its intent to sign a five year 35 million dollar contract.
It comes just 11 days before Prichard citizens head to the polls to vote 'yes or no' to dissolve the Prichard Water Board.
Many have complained of high water bills for years and want MAWSS to take over.
Representative Bracy said it was a sneaky move.
"I think they're a very greedy board, and I think they're doing it out of spite," said Bracy. "They have absolutely no respect for the citizens of Prichard and Chickasaw." Representative Bracy said.
Prichard Water Board member Russell Heidelburg said it was strictly a business decision, and they couldn't wait until after the elections.
Heidelburg said, "On the contract it expires on December the 31st. In the contract we have to give them six months' notice of our intention whether to renew cancel or get a new contract." Russell Heidelburg said.
If the citizens vote to dissolve the board, MAWSS would take over Prichard water.
If the majority of voters agree to dissolve the utility company, MAWSS would also have to take over the company's assets, liabilities, and any other contracts and responsibilities.
"MAWSS doesn't need Severn Trent. They can provide those services themselves, but by locking them into a contract like that- it would make it very difficult to lower the rates," said Bracy.
Heidelburg stated the board's decision had nothing to do with MAWSS because the board plans on keeping the company regardless of how the citizens vote on June 3rd.
"If the vote goes against us, we're not going to roll over and just take it. We're going to appeal as high as we can go," said Heidelburg.
Bracy said his office is preparing to ask the attorney general's office to launch an investigation into the operations of the water board.
Local 15 News reached out to MAWSS and the Prichard Water Board's attorney for comment. MAWSS declined a comment. Attorney Jay Ross did not reply.
