Lake View Sewer Amendment Heads To Governor's Desk Ahead Of Referendum Vote

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is set to sign a constitutional amendment into law that would allow Tuscaloosa County citizens to vote on placing the City of Lake View's private sewer system's rates under the oversight of the Alabama Public Service Commission.

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HB148, sponsored by Republican State Rep. Rich Wingo, cleared the Alabama Senate late Thursday night during the last day of the regular legislative session, by a vote of 23-2.

"Lake View and the seven surrounding subdivisions are waking up to the best possible news in years regarding Tannehill Sewer," Lake View Councilwoman Cheryl Ivey told Patch Friday morning. "The hard work of many citizens and Lake View Mayor Adrain Dudley, along with excellent help from Senators Singleton and Smitherman, is very much appreciated. We will celebrate today and then get ready for the vote in November. We are ecstatic over this news!"

While State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Tuscaloosa Republican, also voted in favor of the amendment, the two nay votes came from Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Fairhope and Sen. Thomas Whatley, R-Auburn.

The bill has failed to make it to the governor's desk on two different prior occasions, but will now be considered by the voters of Tuscaloosa County for the first time when it appears on the ballot during the Nov. 8 General Election later this year.

As Patch has previously reported, the Tannehill Sewer System has been the waste treatment provider for the city since its incorporation more than two decades ago and is owned by Mike White, who was recently ordered by a judge to pay $4.7 million in damages to three families who saw their collective sewer bills total more than $500,000.

With most residents paying more than $120 a month just for sewer service, which doesn't factor in usage or include water service, the fees have steadily climbed over the years, and with increasing frequency as of late.

This prompted residents and city officials alike to once again take up the cause of fighting for oversight of the sewer system.

Supporters have argued that the PSC would provide unbiased oversight that will ultimately protect Tannehill Sewer and the city as much as it will the consumer.

Check out our past coverage:

• A Sewer Lord's Tale: Lake View Residents Battle For Oversight
• Lake View United Against Private Sewer Owner's Business Practices
• Lake View Passes Resolution Supporting Sewer Oversight Bill
• Lake View Sewer Bill Passes House, Heads To Senate
• Lake View Sewer Amendment Clears Senate Committee

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