Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin made a surprise visit to the Central Alabama Water Board meeting to deliver a message in person: “The ratepayers deserve better.”

Woodfin’s blunt message came amidst a special-called meeting of the utility and days after its newly hired CEO sacked the entire previous executive team.

Jeffrey Thompson, who was appointed last week as CEO for the utility in a recruitment that was mired in accusations of secrecy, removed the senior leadership team, including General Manager Mac Underwood, and within a day, began installing his own team.

The shakeup could cost the utility more than $3.5 million dollars in contract buyouts.

“The behavior, the integrity is more than questionable, and the ratepayers deserve better, and the employees deserve better,” Woodfin said as board members turned in their seats to face him. “We’re ready to organize ourselves if board members are unresponsive to us because the behavior has been unacceptable to this point.”

Woodfin’s comments marked the first time he’s made them before the board as he has often railed against Central Alabama Water on his social media platforms in the wake of the state’s takeover and restructuring of the utility.

Birmingham councilwoman Latonya Tate also joined the mayor in attending.

Thompson sat just a few feet from Woodfin as he stood to address the board and criticize the process to hire him.

The board offered no response to the mayor.

“Thank you very much,” replied chairman Tommy Hudson.

However, Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, a board member from Birmingham, echoed Woodfin’s criticism about the lack of transparency on the board.

Tyson also repeated a list of questions similar to those asked by AL.com regarding details of the selection process, including a full list of candidates, emails with the private search firm.

Secrecy in the CEO selection process has long remained a source of conflict within the board, where just three of the seven members served on the search committee. The board is also divided with five Republican members from outside Birmingham and two Democratic members appointed by Birmingham. Birmingham was excluded from the process.

“This is what I’m talking about, the disrespect of this board,” Tyson said. “And y’all pray over this? I’m about to start walking out on the prayer because I know the God I serve doesn’t want me being treated like this and the ratepayers being treated like this.”

No public meetings were held to discuss the candidates. Multiple requests by AL.com for details, including a list of candidates, continue to be ignored by the utility.

Thompson for months was viewed as the frontrunner, although there had been no official meetings or committee meetings throughout the process.

Board leaders offered few words after the meeting. Thompson offered only a brief statement and took no questions while chairman Hudson rushed through the room saying he was late for another meeting.

Hudson pushed back on a question that ratepayers were concerned over actions of the new board.

“No, the ratepayers don’t have those questions. I just don’t think that they do,” he said.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here and I just want to let everybody know that I’m committed to ensuring that our customers get the greatest service they can get and we become the world class utility and really moving forward with improving our financial situation and our customer service for all of our customers here in the region,” Thompson said before smiling and walking away.

Woodfin said he came to the building in person because the board has ignored his previous letters and questions to them.

He also told the board that he knows that members in the majority have met offsite at a country club in Vestavia Hills, where they’ve also met with incoming CEO Thompson.

While they made no comment while Woodfin stood before them, board member Bill Morris responded later.

“I’m not a member of a country club. My wife drives a school bus,” he said to light laughter.

Morris however nor anyone else did not refute Woodfin’s claim.

Monday’s brief special called meeting was held to designate new bank accounts and authorize additional staff members to access them.

“What’s obvious to me is that the board feels they don’t have to answer to anybody,” Woodfin said later. “I’ve called out all bad behavior in the past. I’ve called out bad behavior in the present. It doesn’t matter who has the power. What really matters is, are you serving the customers, are you taking care of the employees? With this board’s action the answer is no.”