The public will have the opportunity to hear representatives from both the City of Athens and the Athens Municipal Water Authority defend their positions in the current water dispute 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the First Baptist Church of Athens ROC.
All are invited to the event, which will be moderated by Kyle Henderson.
In December 2013, the Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA) filed a lawsuit against the City of Athens alleging it is in breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, is negligent and has committed fraud. The contractual issue basically boils down to who should pay for the operation and maintenance of Lake Athens, the dam, and the water treatment and transportation facilities.
The lawsuit asks for a monetary judgement against the City, and although there is no definitive amount requested, in multiple spots the suit says the City is responsible for an amount “in excess of” $4 million.
The City answered back later in December and early January by voting to dissolve AMWA. A petition circulated by AMWA, however, has caused the issue to be placed on the ballot for voters during the May general election.