05/29/2026
We Call A Foul
upon Madison County government over a proposal to sell the county’s sewer district, Special Service Area (SSA1), to American Water Company for $35,000,000 in cash. In our opinion, this transaction is allegedly the brainchild of County Board Chairman Chris Slusser and American Water Government Acquisitions Manager.
Taxpayers could do better, but won’t, unless they speak up!
Few details are known to us about the proposed sale, but we dipped into the background of the deal Slusser fast-tracked. The county will receive about $390 for each of the 8900 voters in the district for the right to bill taxpayers for sewer services in perpetuity. These SSA1 residents will now have paid the tax bill for what has already been created by the county, but will pay again in higher sewer bills.
The MCCC Opinion:
“Ask anybody in Granite City…their sewer bills have increased between 2 and 3 times their former amounts. This price is far too low for perpetual rights, and the SSA residents will pay far more than they will receive in this transaction. These officials should be ashamed of this transaction.”
Chris Guy, District 25 Board Member, works for American Water Company and has transmitted a letter to abstain from any negotiations. (Exhibit A) Industry sources state that he is the Senior Director, Business Development & Government Affairs. (Exhibit B)
The MCCC Opinion:
“Elected officials routinely fail to disclose on these legally required annual statements, and taxpayers find out later that the fox was in the henhouse.”
Taxpayers deserve accountability from elected officials. The Madison County State’s Attorney and the Madison County Clerk both have responsibilities in the filing process for Statements of Economic Interests, up to forfeiture of office and conviction of misdemeanors.
We’ve seen no evidence of that due diligence. (Exhibit D)
The MCCC Opinion:
“Was the Madison County Ethics Advisor uninformed, ill or simply not reviewing these forms with elected officials. If other Madison County Board Members paid the American Water price for sewer services, this deal would have been called off at its inception.”
In our opinion, this sale proposal is tragic for good government, tragic for these 8900 taxpayers and a terrible deal for everyone except American Water. The elected Madison County Board shouldn’t raise money on the backs of these 8900 taxpayers by selling the perpetual rights to these taxpayer’s sewer services to a non-elected, non-accountable, private company.”
