FAIRHOPE, Alabama—The suspension of an employee in the water and sewer department was reversed by the city’s personnel board last Thursday.

Following a hearing that was open to the public, the board overturned the three-day suspension without pay of Shawn Black, according to The Fairhope Times, which first reported the story.

Black was suspended last month by Dan McCrory, superintendent of the water and sewer department, who testified that Black disobeyed instructions when he allowed water he was flushing from water hydrants to flow excessively onto a landowner’s property in the County Woods subdivision.

“He’d been told, and in my opinion it was gross negligence,” McCrory said. “Had he followed my directions, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

Black testified he had used his “best judgment” in how he flushed the hydrant, which required him to choose between spraying water into the landowner’s yard or into her flower beds or the street. He also speculated that his suspension may have been influenced by an insurance claim filed against the city by the landowner.

“I feel like I’m being singled out because that lady saw dollar signs when she saw that water running through her yard,” he said.

Two other employees also testified during the hearing.

The board deliberated and made its decision in private, which was announced in the open meeting, according to Council President Lonnie Mixon, who participated in board questioning of witnesses and was present during its deliberation.

Mixon said he participated as the council’s liaison to the board and not as a member.