Residents and Advocacy Groups Press Jackson Council on Water Affordability; Council Passed Resolution on Consent Calendar
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Summary
Multiple residents and outside advocates urged the council to support state bills and local action on water affordability; council passed a related resolution on the consent calendar that the clerk later confirmed had passed unanimously.
A large group of residents and policy advocates addressed the council Nov. 18 about rising water bills and a request that the city endorse a package of state water-affordability bills. Speakers included Cindy Roper, a senior policy adviser with the Natural Resources Defense Council, representatives from the People's Water Board Coalition and local residents who described steep utility bills and high reconnection fees.
Speakers argued that federal funding for water infrastructure has declined over time and that more sustainable state or federal revenue streams are needed so costs do not fall almost entirely on ratepayers. Multiple commenters asked the council to pass a resolution endorsing Michigan Senate bills that would advance income-based water rates and urged the council to convey support to state lawmakers.
City staff noted consent-calendared items included related measures and later in the meeting the clerk confirmed that a water-affordability item on the consent calendar passed unanimously. Advocates urged council to engage the city's legislative representatives and to consider local measures to mitigate shutoff impacts and reconnection fees. Council did not amend policy at the meeting but accepted public comment and endorsed moving the resolution forward on the consent calendar.
