City says nearly all lead service lines replaced under $10 million earmark; council discusses audit and record reconciliation

The Eastpointe Department of Public Works said on May 13 it is nearing completion of a multi‑year lead service line replacement program funded largely by a $10 million earmark, and council members discussed whether to commission an independent audit to reconcile historical records.

DPW Director Darren Palucci told council the program moved more rapidly than most cities’ efforts and that the department is “very, very near completing all 2,262 lead service lines.” Palucci credited the earmark for accelerating work and said crews also replaced century‑old water mains and televised the sewer system to identify defects. He noted some discrepancies between his department’s original index‑card records and subsequent consultant spreadsheets; those differences mainly reflected field verifications that changed a small number of entries from presumptive lead to verified copper.

A council member asked whether a third‑party audit of records is warranted before the city publicly declares the program complete; Palucci said he felt confident in the work, noting he had personally reviewed index cards and meter‑change records, but agreed staff could investigate the cost and scope of an independent verification. He cautioned that a third‑party audit would be an additional cost and that much of the remaining work is restoration tied to ongoing construction projects, not unreplaced lines. Palucci said the earmark remains available through 2027 and that some grant retention and contractor holdbacks continue while final restoration work is completed.

Ending: DPW reported near‑completion of the lead service program and will provide additional information on record‑reconciliation options; council suggested the question of an audit or verification be considered as part of near‑term budget follow‑up.