MAYSVILLE — The Jackson County Board of Commissioners and the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority voted to file a lawsuit against the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority following an hourlong executive session Monday.

The board of commissioners approved a motion to authorize Jackson County law firm Balch and Bingham to "immediately file a lawsuit to verify and establish the county’s share of the Bear Creek Reservoir," said Commissioner Bruce Yates.

The decision comes three weeks after the board of commissioners received a letter from the water authority asking that the delegates from Jackson County "not be seated during an executive session," said Chairwoman Pat Bell. "Our attorney said our people must be represented at the meeting."

The board responded to that letter with a statement issued on Sept. 22 saying it would take legal action if the water authority "attempts to prevent Jackson County representatives from attending any meeting of the Authority."

Jackson County is one of four counties that make up the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, the others being Athens-Clarke, Barrow and Oconee counties.