((For background on this issue and a list of links to previous stories, click here.))
The next steps in the Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA) v City of Athens dispute took place Tuesday night during a City Council meeting, and although HCN was unable to attend, I did catch up with Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught this morning.
The meeting was essentially for the council to respond to AMWA’s petition, which was presented to the city earlier this month. According to state law, the City had two available options for responding to the petition.
1. The council could have repealed the ordinance to dissolve the AMWA.
2. The council could place the question of the AMWA’s existence in front of the voters.
The Athens City Council went with the second option, voting to place the issue on the ballot in the May general election.
Vaught said no one on the council was for repealing the ordinance — in fact the idea never even received a motion — because council members still believe dissolving the AMWA is the right move.