Water Board Situation: Firing of Renowned Birmingham Lobbyist Greg Jones

This week, the newly formed Birmingham regional water board took the decisive step of terminating the contract with prominent local lobbyist Greg Jones. This decision was reached through a contentious split vote, which one board member criticized as unjust. Central Alabama Water, formerly known as the Birmingham Water Works Board, voted 4-2 to sever ties with the Jones Group, reflecting longstanding divides along party, racial, and geographical lines, with two Birmingham members opposing the motion.The board retained Montgomery-based Fine, Geddie & Associates, despite both firms being compensated $15,000 monthly. Commissioner Sheila Tyson voiced concerns over the fairness of firing Jones, who is entrenched in the Birmingham community. Board attorney Shan Paden cited an irreconcilable conflict due to the firm's dual representation. Amid ongoing legal disputes regarding board structure, the board also amended its communications contract, cutting the monthly fee to $18,000 while incurring substantial legal expenses, totaling $138,000 in July.