Residents allege operator subcontractor hired city water staff, council calls for legal review

Several speakers said Patterson, a contractor associated with Magnolia, hired city water workers after Magnolia began operating the system. "Patterson hired every last one of our workers from our city. And that's a breach of contract," the chair said during the meeting.

Speakers said the city may have lost local capacity to operate the plant if staff were hired away, and urged legal remedies and a review of contract terms. Councilors did not record any formal legal action at the meeting, but the chair and residents said pursuing legal remedies for alleged breaches and confirming staffing arrangements should be a priority as the council moves forward with the resolution and follow-up work.