[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6101701,"mediaKeyId","2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a","parentId",2807242,"title","Residents report doubled water bills; council members call for review as officials cite CSO costs and high fund balance","audioSeconds",771,"startMs",4365000,"endMs",5136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a&start=4365&end=5136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a/thumbnail_4365000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101701/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-report-doubled-water-bills-council-members-call-for-review-as-officials-cite-CSO-costs-and-high-fund-balance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101701-b656111a488b83add4a96d61f58cd12e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166337&Signature=e4zCwy6EIm0kMY3Swsb~SZS61esmAaIqaWh6FuGoLot6imBEdP7vrKoxZ1d21y~Rg4nfL6-ke3WXc1kyxJ5afdv5qhAbpYYr9m0QPBbhn4sWesAQezn2fl9Gkt3cDYon5ctJXQqWRC2VAeOFHPW3Wc01HZNcTFSkxK0c1CZZx4VcyXejF2nL9D6ixLAJ4S3yXetlKianRCllYNGLe0lHmRzorD9wpg-CBJpN0b9r2KG96PP67wrewa~tWGYdEjdXjVSMKzUkxyRl2G5P2FrMnl01bNHkOhUnu04PCKZBZj8nfvhkMQ5chtRrJJRvaD9KrfPdnRPKSNcc5rQWfct~mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dearborn Heights, MI","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Several Dearborn Heights residents used the March 18 study session to complain about unexpectedly high water bills and inconsistent answers from the water department, and council members called for a comprehensive review.

Jamil Alouia told the council his three-month bill jumped from roughly $300 to $604 and said he fears much higher bills this summer. “This water bill, it's double since my last payment,” Alouia said during public comment, asking why the bills had increased when his usage had not.

Other residents described similar experiences; one commenter said some accounts received multiple months of estimated readings and were later billed for the accrued usage, while another reported seeing corroded or damaged meter wiring during a meter replacement, which could affect readings.

Council members and staff discussed structural factors that affect customer bills. Officials noted the city’s water rates incorporate fees and projects beyond the local distribution system: long-term liabilities and CSO (combined sewer overflow) and SRF loan obligations appear in entitywide statements and can influence rate-setting. One council member said the city’s water fund had a reported surplus in the audit on the order of more than $12 million and asked how that coexists with high residential bills.

Council chair and council members proposed short-term steps and longer-term reviews. Council chair Beydoun said he has asked for a full review of the water department “from the top to the bottom,” and council members proposed workshops and two neighborhood meetings with consultants, provisionally planned for April 23 and April 24, to collect resident concerns and organize evidence for an outside review. Auditor Jay Wild said his firm could potentially help design procedures if the city compiles complaints and data, but he noted a specialized technical review of meters might require more specific expertise.

Administration staff described some operational steps: residents can request meter testing (the city charges a fee for meter testing), and staff said some bills were based on estimated reads that were later corrected when actual reads occurred. Council members pressed administration to produce clearer billing breakdowns and to provide more transparent explanations when bills spike.

Residents and council members requested concrete next steps: an organized collection of customer complaints, a third-party review of billing and meter practices, and clear communication to customers about estimated readings, meter testing options, and any planned rate drivers tied to capital projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/18/25 - Dearborn Heights Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents said their water bills doubled and urged investigation. Officials noted large water-fund balances and ongoing capital costs (CSO/SRF) that affect rates; auditors offered to review procedures if the city collects and organizes complaints.","taxTitle","Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4162,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101706,"Council rebuked over procurement policy gaps after split training invoice and public complaints",203,2915000,3118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a&start=2915&end=3118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6101706/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-rebuked-over-procurement-policy-gaps-after-split-training-invoice-and-public-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101706-6e2e7d573239c5d2833085963bc3216e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166337&Signature=H3zkxez6YunicPQZyZiXpw1TJ7-~pK~IaSMxrBiacwqtNydj6Jr8Nz~MQ3VY0ObVfbW2nfvBybujdIDJzQtvQ5vX1oYU9v5zE4r2sq5TnR6GKofkXCzOIQFDzBCMpQV9m4M135btHW8Yo8roDoFvrN37RXfyEZ~YTEsJ8wJd-984Xl0IZ9QYlJRFVmtMhiRGtSF19rfCOqgB8yUzjOma3vvRKrZMkMATFf-P~04z2AX1wMujMRllalEv7aQnwNiJdsBKrLDB9v5grnQQMs1RdfAWLrMWHq24xGw3gbXcnZIdWT9RPde9CviLVSRzf~VEqEkocnFypoBwznqJ-q2XjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Resident speakers and elected officials pressed Dearborn Heights administrators on procurement controls during the March 18 study session after a training engagement and its invoicing drew public scrutiny.

Zohar al Hadid, a resident who addressed the council during public comment, said the city received an invoice for leadership training that was split into two claims and accused officials of hiding information. “There wasn't any document of the attendees of that meeting... They refused to give any information,” al Hadid said, adding later, “that was a lie and that was a forgery.”

Mariana, the city's chief of staff, told the council the training was a team-building session attended by city directors and that the split claims reflected a down payment for supplies and a subsequent final payment. “The only reason it was paid from the mayor's department is because the HR department didn't have a budget that particular year,” Mariana said, explaining why the mayor’s office handled payment. She urged residents with questions to meet with her privately to review the documentation and said the event was held at a city facility and presented by the contractor to council when the purchase was approved.

Auditor Jay Wild flagged procurement policy as one of two repeat findings in the fiscal 2024 audit and told the council that the city’s charter thresholds and internal policies are not fully aligned. Wild said procurement was a repeat item and recommended the city adopt clearer documented procedures consistent with statutory and federal guidance for grant-funded purchases.

Council members and staff noted the city previously considered procurement updates. Mariana and staff said procurement policy drafts and sample templates, including models recommended by Plante Moran and the Michigan Municipal League, were presented to council in prior years and were not adopted; council members said versions were rejected because proposed dollar thresholds were higher than the charter’s $1,500 signing limit. One council member noted the federal procurement requirement (CFR 2 C.F.R. 200) applies when federal funds are involved, which can impose additional documentation and competitive-solicitation requirements.

Administration and several council members recommended restarting the procurement discussion with fresh templates and clearer thresholds. Mariana said Plante Moran had recommended the Traverse City model and provided sample language to the council for consideration. Several council members also called for monthly transparency reports listing all vendor payments to make low-dollar payments visible to council and the public.

The public debate over this single invoice triggered wider calls from residents and some council members to revisit procurement limits, check-signing authorities, and the city’s claims reporting practices so similar questions do not recur.","Public commenters and some council members challenged administration practices after a mayoral-office training invoice was split into two claims. Auditors listed procurement as a repeat finding; administration said prior procurement policy proposals were denied by council and urged a policy revamp.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101711,"Auditor issues unmodified opinion on Dearborn Heights 2024 financials; flags thin fund balance and repeat control issues",5374,152000,5526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a&start=152&end=5526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807242-644ada72b36360851ac858c1e210f89a/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6101711/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Auditor-issues-unmodified-opinion-on-Dearborn-Heights-2024-financials-flags-thin-fund-balance-and-repeat-control-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101711-824c128a15b36acb65f4dc5e36c4caee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166337&Signature=PsOSg06akpB4iv9h7dG1btCRGiBuenvHig1OyNQnhEHj~S6nvZZptrhpDqKMFEU3k0x71LNPt~dkq-GJdd6D4iROJeQc5MwFl336N-DmHfIqs8YIF0QN8g~nHIpe8Ix0mxIjHo~5gwPA1Z5KBJ6sVe7CX3vXqGmJ~Qvha1ynWd9CbhSHNDkc6Wv1uQZ3xUdMxL1RCgg-un0RudSts4ufezKRGJ5pycuIgg4Aot6ujuLvIki-O27k66gFMKKbZtIrHY10B~IDwNvYH4qiOTZDenw4eD6gW67vPXXbjgciGeYYIsaNPleczvBebRaGAPpAaqZz8XkpaZmIUMHvQDFDKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jay Wild, lead auditor for Plante Moran, told the Dearborn Heights City Council at a March 18 study session that Plante Moran issued an unmodified opinion on the city’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and that the report was issued in February after a state-granted extension caused by a delayed OPEB actuarial valuation.

That unmodified opinion, Wild said, means that “in our opinion, the information in the statements and the disclosures is fairly stated.” He told the council the firm provided the opinion after completing its procedures and that the report’s timing reflected receipt of an outside actuarial valuation, not other accounting problems.

The audit highlights presented to council show the city’s total assets declined from about $44.4 million at June 30, 2023, to $42.7 million at June 30, 2024, while liabilities rose from about $20.9 million to $26.4 million. Wild said one material timing driver of the liability increase was a delayed transfer of captured tax dollars to the city’s TIFA (Tax Increment Finance Authority); the report shows a $5.8 million due-to-component-unit balance that represented roughly two years’ tax captures at the time of the audit.

Wild also summarized corporate-fund activity: cash and cash equivalents were reported at about $27.6 million at year end; receivables were roughly $3.04 million; due-from-pension and due-from-other-funds items were each reported around $3.9 million; and the general fund balance fell from about $17.8 million to $12.8 million. Revenues declined from about $58.7 million in 2023 to $49.5 million in 2024, a drop the auditor attributed largely to one-time ARPA receipts in the prior year. Expenditures increased to roughly $54 million in 2024.

On the practical implications, Wild pointed out the city’s unrestricted portion of fund balance was only a bit over $4 million — about 8% of annual expenditures — and emphasized that this is a slim margin for a municipal general fund. “Eight percent is not a significant amount,” Wild said; a council member added, “Eight percent is not safe.”

Public-safety costs rose materially year over year; the audit presentation showed public-safety spending increasing from about $28.8 million to $32.8 million, which council members tied to recent police and fire contract increases. Wild said he could not opine on policy decisions that created the expense increases, only on how they appear in the financial statements.

The auditor reported two findings in the fiscal 2024 report, both repeats: (1) procurement policy issues and (2) cost allocation between funds. Wild said an outside party has been contracted to review cost-allocation practices and that administration has been working on procurement revisions; he noted the procurement issues partly reflect inconsistencies between the city charter and drafted policies. Wild also said management provided a representation letter dated 02/03/2025 and that the letter could be made available to council and is also accessible via the state website.

Wild told the council the audit provided reasonable — not absolute — assurance and that auditors test transactions but do not review every item. He said the firm found no disagreements with management on accounting matters and no unauthorized expenditures that came to the auditors’ attention during their procedures.

Council members pressed for more timely delivery of the audit in future years; Wild said the February issuance was a one-time extension tied to the external OPEB valuation and that, with cooperation from city staff, the target is earlier issuance (late November to early December) in future cycles. Council members also requested monthly reporting on certain funds and further detail on specific line items mentioned in the presentation.

The audit presentation closed with Wild thanking city staff for cooperation and reiterating that while the opinion was unmodified, the council should treat the thin unrestricted fund balance and repeat procurement/cost-allocation items as priorities for follow-up.","Plante Moran issued an unmodified opinion on the City of Dearborn Heights' fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, but auditors warned the city's unrestricted fund balance is thin, cited two repeat findings (procurement policy and cost allocations), and said the audit was delayed by an external OPEB valuation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents report doubled water bills; council members call for review as officials cite CSO costs and high fund balance

Council rebuked over procurement policy gaps after split training invoice and public complaints

Auditor issues unmodified opinion on Dearborn Heights 2024 financials; flags thin fund balance and repeat control issues