Compensation; ethics requirements; rate increases; open meetings.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including Section 11-50-234.1, no member of the board may receive any compensation that exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) per month. In addition, the members shall be entitled to any additional personal expenses for the member only or expense allowance for personal travel or other personal expenses for the member related to the duties of their office upon approval by a roll call vote of a majority of the board members in an open meeting of the board. No member of the board may be reimbursed for any expenditure for alcoholic beverages or entertainment. Records relating to each expense voucher shall be itemized as to any expense and shall be a public record and placed on the website of the board.

(b)(1) All members of the board and employees of the board shall be subject to the State Ethics Law, Chapter 25 of Title 36. No consultant or party contracting with or doing business with the board may expend any funds on entertainment of a board member.

(2) No member of the board shall be an elected official.

(c) No increase in rates for water may be adopted by the board unless notice of the meeting at which the rate increase is to be considered is given at least 30 days prior to the meeting in the same manner as provided in the Alabama Open Meeting Act and a public hearing is held at the meeting prior to any vote on the rate increase. Notice of the meeting shall also be given by posting a notice of the meeting on the website of the board at least 30 days in advance of the board meeting.

(d) The board shall otherwise be subject to Chapter 25A of Title 36, the Alabama Open Meetings Act.

(Act 2015-164, §4.)