[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6189440,"mediaKeyId","5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b","parentId",5057085,"title","Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority seeks $5 million to stabilize failing system and ease steep rate hikes","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",3468000,"endMs",3790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b&start=3468&end=3790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b/thumbnail_3468000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189440/Michigan/Lake-Mitchell-Sewer-Authority-seeks-5-million-to-stabilize-failing-system-and-ease-steep-rate-hikes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189440-28470cfb39f84b19fe45dba10acb1a14/orig.mp4?Expires=1775856865&Signature=BK7Rq-JX9cbS77bUeKIrDlKdukua-VkZZxppqmr3xkWdWem3DUm5IL0RGLigrEp0kTVyXAQR6txqETBaHU5UX4aAGgkuaKr1edj0aJ8lL-zW4GbmoJEMsNZvL97JPgnCkcO9ToZWsGg7xnndr1wr46t2e~eh13m0pzuZPZQdX5GvpVkD27JmTPycX7QaEjZlVlZvK6oBrDIx4YNIslw4vIJWdggFwU15Tqrep5HNVfeqLKkX6~p8dxa3f-wqtgOg6oZNk6uFC2YJjB3FoLLAU0JH7jtbMVBVLlb4znfj~iie3a-bP0BjlOJUs6EOcmY4noISH-RhQuvAeMcJ6I8IOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan Legislature","date","2025-06-23T16:44:43Z","article","Representative Fox and Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority representatives asked the House Appropriations Subcommittee for $5 million to repair a failing sewer system that authority officials said is producing an increasing number of sanitary overflows and causing steep, unsustainable rate increases for more than 800 users.

\"This so called gift from the county was accompanied by many responsibilities, and the most burdensome being the maintenance and repair of a failing sewer system,\" Representative Fox told the committee. He said the Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority now operates independently of the county and that pump failures and increasing EGLE timelines have strained the authority's finances.

Fox said user fees were about $31.73 per month in February 2016 and have risen to roughly $174 per month; he told the committee that 9% of users are delinquent, creating foreclosure risk for property owners. The $5 million request, he said, would provide relief for residents and businesses around Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac, protect tourism assets such as Lake Mitchell State Park and Hemlock Campground, and reduce the risk of downstream impacts through connected waterways.

No motions or votes were recorded; the presentation was a funding appeal. Committee members did not take formal action during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations: Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy - 6/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Fox and Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority representatives asked the appropriations subcommittee for $5 million to repair pumps, stop sanitary overflows and reduce sharply escalating sewer rates that the authority said have risen from about $31.73 to $174 per month over the past decade.","taxTitle","2025-2026 House Legislature MI, Michigan","taxId",77683,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189445,"Midland coalition seeks $20 million this cycle for flood‑resilience and sewer/storm projects",906,2528000,3434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b&start=2528&end=3434","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b/thumbnail_2528000.jpg","/articles/6189445/Michigan/Midland-coalition-seeks-20-million-this-cycle-for-floodresilience-and-sewerstorm-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189445-0e404e82d46e9a80c66e290c8206987d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775856865&Signature=JvYca-mv-PAgWHfxt7O8CejgCy41XyAoD-PpAtncaImrzaXorfDmAyMEI79DznFDLzRBMWKd3H-kqmP8chefh76~6gSU~TPkfYrkqQRN1YwBa7JNr-eWo7HHTdodnW5WkJssiZE0clm2UmD-LpOCHVRW6ZJio9eqUcrPwvGadS-xHJ89owxnynL-x6xdrsZkXkIwNE3aK0b~TZHlzwY9TXGnTdrXWCmDHIAx1h2zzPRrhjePfEWT9N4pO2R2lZwuRvSIMuQNfiwC2gpeZm0PMwvSq290If2hzDdht8Xs~yqDwuX8qS0o4a3d9Ggd5yLiIvFIEhOwyV4HkBibt4SwOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business and civic leaders from Midland described a multi‑year effort to reduce frequent flooding in the Tittabawassee watershed and asked the House Appropriations Subcommittee for $20 million in the 2025 cycle to advance midterm resilience projects.

Tony Stamas, president and CEO of the Midland Business Alliance, said the committee formed after the 2020 dam breach to coordinate business, local government and nonprofit action on flooding, sanitary‑sewer and stormwater issues. Leanne Keller and JW Fisher, co‑chairs of the Midland committee, described the watershed's complexity — roughly 2,500 square miles with several tributaries converging downtown — and a mix of short‑, mid‑ and long‑term projects being pursued.

Keller said the coalition raised about $1.63 million in seed funds and is pursuing federal and state grants while funding a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydrology/hydraulic study and a congressionally‑authorized General Investigation study. JW Fisher described a $40 million federal award the city is using for internal drainage work, and said the Army Corps remains the likely lead for the largest projects, which could take several budget cycles to implement.

Bill Schutte summarized the coalition's funding ask: $20 million in 2025 with a view to additional work in 2026 to reduce flood frequency and protect hospitals, homes and downtown businesses. Committee members heard project examples including relocating hospital boilers, pump‑station work on Sturgeon Creek and internal drainage upgrades; no committee votes or formal directives were recorded.","A Midland business‑community coalition and local leaders told the appropriations subcommittee they have raised $1.63 million locally and seek $20 million in state funds in 2025 to advance midterm flood‑mitigation projects while continuing longer-term U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189450,"Owasso leaders urge $15 million to replace failing nitrification towers to protect river and rates",996,1239000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b&start=1239&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b/thumbnail_1239000.jpg","/articles/6189450/Michigan/Owasso-leaders-urge-15-million-to-replace-failing-nitrification-towers-to-protect-river-and-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189450-31ad50fe1ba08e3358630f0c233afc25/orig.mp4?Expires=1775856865&Signature=MDwR05Sj5HpJF0bSt4aAHDk39NoK6D99Aejsm3wtwihpzZlok8eIVAheOTB7SpYkk5NTcOADb7UNM6tIPXtmZPm5ntIWlCJs2SMkmMfj9PVZ1hDrqKXDmbJjKhxRSpqKIcv1M9odJntfqNpe3ilL3Z1rQBtP1AUWuLIf0BI7HhXRK7y9iTiYkaXmR1tej1n0IKwQE9OGeXAo7vo8uh4QGd~uJY2wli-6Y8SbCCFHdzpJAvYFjaCHA9HOewChzljhWApW5nfKdfsAxt7ZpwY4DygQddeOWBaooKSFaOWc~k7qg8eS0LTCaY1m~gpzbI3ZOh0LW~nBI9~RuuhdSFyEMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor and local leaders from Owasso told the House Appropriations Subcommittee the city needs $15 million to replace three failing nitrification towers at its wastewater treatment plant and avoid both environmental harm to the Shiawassee River and severe rate increases for local residents.

Justin Horvath, president and CEO of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, said the request is necessary to maintain the community's ability to serve industry and preserve economic development. \"The request before you is to fund the replacement of 3 nitrification towers at the water treatment center,\" Horvath said, noting the towers are a critical part of removing ammonia and nitrogen compounds before discharge. Tom Cook of Friends of the Shiawassee River told the committee the towers are roughly 40 years old and their failure could lead to discharges that would \"threaten public health\" and violate plant permits.

Shelly Akenicki, a local business owner and Owasso school-board member, described the financial impact on ratepayers if the work is not state‑supported. \"We are talking about a 108% increase in our water bills over the next 5 years,\" she said, and offered examples for businesses and the public schools. Witnesses said the city has used Clean Water Revolving Fund loans and local funds but that those sources are insufficient to fund immediate replacement.

Committee members heard that the wastewater system serves a regional population and supports downstream recreation and economy; speakers said replacing the towers now would be cheaper than emergency replacement after a failure. No formal votes or directives were recorded; the testimony was a funding appeal to the Legislature.","Officials and community representatives from Owasso asked the appropriations subcommittee for $15 million to replace three old nitrification towers at the Mid‑County wastewater treatment plant, warning failure could cause permit violations and environmental harm while local ratepayers would face steep bill increases without state help.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189453,"Ely Township seeks $1.9 million to fix manganese contamination in Greenwood water system",409,743000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b&start=743&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b/thumbnail_743000.jpg","/articles/6189453/Michigan/Ely-Township-seeks-19-million-to-fix-manganese-contamination-in-Greenwood-water-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189453-683a3d7c57789a142936c1a41d02059a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775856865&Signature=d~5-QmojrP4CO5V7KO1J25p5a6C1yn4iqDASh3LbQ0Qw~xIjQ52UW2~p7llfMz5eAEFvH1z2AFLopk09GTemEUcQj-3C5OoqsyPAxmT4GhIVA-K5IBZQ7PyVqIfv6-73xocUJrclZPjAMScDj-oL2LuNnjqwxU7NuwOgDKrPIDHVHQzftxlWRKWbxe9PNSjVzIYWQc1ubZY6jkcc0rjRNXkRN84FNZQml4p~MDPPwKYjLIwZplRbcAl-Ia86KVCceCzOpAXQn~MpyPe9cj7G0IiRRsXVlgiNAuHpo-XwHA-Pt08B-TBoiRuxgIg0GibdLKMwuG5q7s2wTaMYbVXPaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ely Township Supervisor Jeremy Lasko told the House Appropriations Subcommittee the Greenwood water system serves 141 households and now shows elevated manganese levels that the local health department has deemed an emergent contaminant.

\"The Greenwood Water System serves a 141 households. We, discovered that we have high manganese in the system,\" Lasko said, adding that the township has been required to provide bottled water for people 12 and younger until a treatment solution is implemented. The township estimates the total project cost at $2,000,000 and asked the subcommittee for $1,900,000 after receiving a $100,000 state feasibility grant.

Lasko described a plan to construct a new building to house sand-filter treatment that would remove manganese and produce treated water for every customer on the Greenwood system. Township officials said they explored combining Greenwood with the Diorite system (about 62 households) but found consolidation costs of $6–8 million would be prohibitive. The Greenwood system is financed only by user rates (a flat $52 per month); officials said spreading a $2 million cost across 141 households would be a heavy burden.

Committee members asked about household counts, metering and rate structures; Lasko said prior meters had plugged, possibly related to manganese, and that the township would evaluate a base rate plus metered charges. No motions or votes were recorded; the testimony was a funding appeal to the Legislature.

Ely Township said it will continue feasibility work to reduce costs, including evaluating reuse of a nearby building to house treatment equipment.","Ely Township requested $1.9 million to build a new filter facility to remove high manganese levels affecting 141 households on the Greenwood system; township said the existing system must provide bottled water for children under 12 until treatment is installed.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189455,"Alpena asks state for $3 million to finish replacement of century-old clear wells",453,100000,553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b&start=100&end=553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057085-4118ae5d39685fbd7ca6aec816b9e02b/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6189455/Michigan/Alpena-asks-state-for-3-million-to-finish-replacement-of-century-old-clear-wells","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189455-67a6db70dfbd9b08ce6e0d01197f69f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775856865&Signature=hWt5h79A7qQn96~RPRhGtI8t4BW~aCjm5tIgdrBPZkjV3HjUSfu1qcex~sYqapnazwK-j~puy~21mypueFg8chRgwEd6e05e7dl27H3wa30cRCQTlGah4Dul2iU8j1DyA94nl6ojuL~4GtK2z-XgjqViKNLoQKJnw5~IbVXRAvx83-YOHdnsyqboOIEZ9Am43suBLu3wUDSD86ZhGWkTbHF2IYC28rxulYZh2mRDhZaAvTuDXF2sOq6OJZstb0Y73UPSUvOfzJqLRkLfsCMFHVjp7XbW1OAC6QcIX6WxGoI2pPUNP38IaYNOqF0K7UfsL7VGqNqDsi~GoPWGHMsHRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Alpena asked the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for $3 million on behalf of its water treatment plant to complete replacement of two finished-water clear wells.

City Manager Rachel Smolinski told the committee the plant — constructed in 1922 and designated an American Water Landmark — supplies about 700,000,000 gallons annually to roughly 15,000 residents, including Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center personnel, and serves as the sole municipal source of drinking water for the city and Alpena Charter Township. \"The existing clear wells constructed in 1922 and 1933 have a combined capacity of 1,000,000 gallons,\" Smolinski said, describing persistent leakage, failing concrete supports and earth-covered ceilings that have shown signs of leakage.

Alpena officials said the project originally had an estimated construction cost of $6.2 million plus $1 million for design and engineering, and the city had been awarded a $6 million grant in 2022. But escalating material and construction costs and additional interior piping and valve work produced bids of $9,843,000, the city reported. The city began construction in July 2024 and seeks $3 million now to complete the work while avoiding borrowing and protecting the utility fund balance.

The proposal calls for two new 500,000‑gallon reinforced-concrete clear wells to improve disinfection contact time and stabilize chlorine residuals, which the city said will aid compliance with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy regulations. Steve Schultz, city engineer, told the committee the city delayed other capital projects, including several street-related water and sewer blocks, to finance the clear‑well work but remains concerned about exhausting its water fund balance.

No committee motions or votes were recorded. Committee members asked clarifying questions about overall project costs and trade-offs with other capital projects; no formal action was taken and the request remained a funding appeal to the Legislature.

Alpena officials said the work is already underway, with substantial completion planned for late 2025, and that finishing the clear wells is critical to continued safe drinking-water service for residents and regional partners including the military training center.","City of Alpena told the House Appropriations Subcommittee it needs $3 million to complete replacement of two aging finished-water clear wells at its 1922 water treatment plant after bids and added infrastructure work raised the project cost to about $9.84 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Mitchell Sewer Authority seeks $5 million to stabilize failing system and ease steep rate hikes

Midland coalition seeks $20 million this cycle for flood‑resilience and sewer/storm projects

Owasso leaders urge $15 million to replace failing nitrification towers to protect river and rates

Ely Township seeks $1.9 million to fix manganese contamination in Greenwood water system

Alpena asks state for $3 million to finish replacement of century-old clear wells