Secrecy, rumors and internal division are clouding the search for a new CEO at Central Alabama Water, where only three of seven board members appear to know who’s being considered for a job that could pay up to $750,000 a year.

Three months after a national search was announced, no finalists have been made public, and the utility has twice announced — then abruptly canceled — meetings to discuss the hire.

The process has ignited accusations of political favoritism and exclusion on a board already split along regional, racial and partisan lines, even as the utility pays hundreds of thousands of dollars to an out-of-state search firm.

Board chairman Tommy Hudson formed a three-member search committee in July, naming himself, Phillip Wiedmeyer, and state Rep. David Standridge to vet cand

See Full Page