At its June 2 meeting, the newly appointed Birmingham Water Works Regional Board voted to rescind the contract of Deputy General Manager and General Counsel Mark Parnell, while taking additional steps to reshape leadership and strengthen oversight.
Parnell’s contract, approved by the previous board on May 6, included a $55,000 monthly salary, a $1,000 monthly vehicle allowance, enhanced pension benefits, and a term running through December 31, 2030. If terminated without cause, the contract guaranteed a severance payout equal to the remaining term, with a minimum of two years’ salary.
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According to WVTM 13, the agreement also required 90 days’ written notice for termination and included clauses related to legal jurisdiction, anti-collusion, and legal expense coverage in case of litigation.
The board’s action to cancel the contract followed criticism over its last-minute approval. The prior board authorized multiple executive contracts, including Parnell’s, just one day before it was dissolved under state law following Governor Kay Ivey’s signing of SB330.
WBRC reported that board member Jeffery Brumlow said the timing of the agreement raised red flags and made him question the legal guidance being offered.
In addition to terminating Parnell’s agreements, the board approved the hiring of three outside law firms to serve as new general counsel.
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The board also voted to appoint temporary leadership. Tommy Hudson was named acting chair, and Jarvis Patton was named acting vice chair. They will serve in these roles until the board adopts formal bylaws, which is expected to occur in July.
Further actions included a vote to request a financial audit from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. The board also approved preliminary steps for a potential forensic audit. These reviews will be in addition to a previously authorized audit of the utility’s 2024 finances.
The June 2 meeting marked only the third time the new regional board has convened. The previous board’s final actions—including the approval of multiple high-level executive contracts—remain under scrutiny.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
