The Alabama Ethics Commission has declined to investigate a complaint filed against Birmingham Water Works Board Chairwoman Tereshia Huffman.

In a letter to Huffman, Ethics Commission Assistant General Counsel Brian H. Paterson Jr. said the commission director and legal staff had reviewed information provided in the complaint and determined there was no evidence that on its face would indicate a violation of the Ethics Act.

“I am a woman of faith who values her integrity above all else,” Huffman said in a statement after receiving the letter. “When false accusations were filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission, those who know me, my work ethic and my character all knew that the truth would quickly be revealed. I would never damage my reputation or the reputation of the Birmingham Water Works in any way.”

The ethics complaint involved three of Huffman’s votes on funding through the BWW’s Community Education Program. Relatives of Huffman’s were involved in two of the initiatives that received funding, and initiatives funded under two of those votes did not fulfill a required educational component, the complaint alleged.

“I am grateful to the Alabama Ethics Commission for the very swift review of this matter and the determination that there was no violation of ethics laws,” Huffman said in her statement. “I am also grateful to my fellow board members, our staff and all who support my efforts to lead with integrity.”

Membership Bill Redrafted

In other Water Works developments, a bill to revamp the membership of the board has been amended to include two more members, for a board of seven. The two members added to the bill would be appointed by the governor and by the Birmingham City Council.

As outlined in the first draft of the bill, one director each also would be appointed by the mayor, the state’s lieutenant governor, the Jefferson County Commission president, the governing body of each county in which a BWWB-owned major reservoir is principally located (Blount County), and by the commission in the county where the second-largest number of water customers reside (Shelby County).

The Senate approved the new version of the bill on Thursday and it has been assigned to a House committee for consideration.