Advocates urge Jackson council to back water-affordability measures and statewide legislation

Speakers from Detroit and local residents urged the Jackson City Council on Oct. 28 to take action on water affordability, saying rising utility costs and recent benefit interruptions are putting households at risk.

Sylvia Ordunio, a community organizer who said she attends local meetings across Michigan, told the council the problem is statewide and urged the city to support a package of state bills that would create a statewide fund and framework for water-affordability assistance. “There’s a way we can do this,” she said, and asked the council to consider a local resolution in support of state action.

Valerie Blakely, also working with water-affordability advocates, described speaking with Jackson residents over the prior two weeks and said higher water bills were creating crises for tenants and families who pay water through rent. “Anytime people can't afford their water, it puts them in crisis mode. It's a public health crisis when people can't afford their water,” Blakely said.

Local residents also described recent bill increases and difficulty paying. Several speakers asked the council to coordinate with local partners and food banks to reduce harm while urging legislative action at the state level.

Council members said they were open to reviewing proposed resolution language and to having staff bring back options. Council member Connor Wood, who cited a state bill package number in his remarks, asked advocates to send proposed language to staff, and council member Christie Davis said she wanted to see the resolution text before making a formal vote.

The council did not adopt a resolution at the meeting but indicated it would consider next steps, including a staff report or formal resolution at a future meeting.