The Westfield City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to transfer its water and wastewater assets to Citizens Energy Group for $91 million.

The city announced in April that it was exploring the idea of transferring the water and wastewater utilities to a qualified operator. Citizens outbid two other private systems for the utility.

Westfield leaders last month said the deal will help the city pay off its utility infrastructure debt of $45 million. The rest of the proceeds will be used for road improvements.

Citizens said it has strategic reasons for making the acquisition just a year after swallowing Indianapolis’ utilities in a $1.9 billion deal.

The Westfield deal must be approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for their approval, a process that could take up to 9 months.