Central Alabama Water Board Approves Controversial Budget

0:00From Birmingham, this is your March 21st update. Central Alabama Waters Board had a heated meeting Friday morning, complete with arguments and protests. They approved a $40 million budget for 2026 that keeps customer rate steady thanks to cuts and spending. The budget slashes both capital projects and day-to-day operating costs, which supporters call a smart move for staying on track financially. Reactions split sharply along boardlines. Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson voted against it, blasting the board's decisions as irresponsible. Director David Standridge praised the outcome, saying it protects ratepayers from hikes while meeting all needs. They also passed the resolution boosting CEO Jeff Thompson's authority to set policies, which Standridge says just follows state law. Tyson argues it strips power from the directors themselves. The board plans to meet again on April 9th, so expect more debate ahead as they tackle these ongoing issues.