MOORESVILLE, Ind. - The town of Mooresville has filed a lawsuit against Indiana American Water Company, marking its latest effort to take over the water utility.

Some Mooresville residents and council members have been upset over rate increases, including a recent 17 percent increase for some homeowners.

According to the complaint, Mooresville offered to buy the water utility’s Mooresville operation for $6.5 million, but the Greenwood company did not accept the town’s offer.

"Having been unable to acquire voluntarily the  IAWC Mooresville Operation, Mooresville seeks to condemn and acquire the IAWC Mooresville Operation by this action," the lawsuit read.

The Mooresville Town Council voted on the action Christmas Eve, frustrating water company officials who have already filed a lawsuit alleging the town violated Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act.

"The fact that the town council has set up a last-minute special meeting on the morning of Christmas Eve and used a small legal notice in the newspaper to again notify the public on such an important issue is, unfortunately, a recurring pattern of behavior for them," said Indiana American Water President Alan DeBoy. "We obviously are not a willing seller and we intend to vigorously defend against this action."

The town alleges that under state law, they are entitled to use eminent domain to acquire public water utilities.