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St. Clair Shores adopts FY 2025–26 millage rates and utility rate adjustments amid questions about lake cleanup funding
Summary
The council adopted the FY 2025–26 millage rates and approved water, sanitary sewer and stormwater rate ordinance updates. Residents raised questions about the Lake St. Clair Clean Water Initiative and how millage revenue and bond proceeds will be used; city staff provided revenue estimates and said some bonds and projects run through 2030–2031.
The St. Clair Shores City Council held a public hearing and then approved the city’s proposed FY 2025–26 millage rates and a package of utility rate updates covering water, sanitary sewer and stormwater charges.
During public comment, residents asked for greater clarity about the Lake St. Clair Clean Water Initiative—the long‑running local millage used to pay bonds and sewer separation work. Staff explained that the Lock Saint Clair millage was enacted decades ago as a multi‑jurisdictional funding mechanism; some bonds tied to that millage remain on the city’s books and portions of the millage revenue are earmarked for sewer separation and other projects. Staff provided a rule‑of‑thumb revenue estimate (roughly $2,000,000 per mill in the city; one staff number cited ~$3.4 million total revenue referenced during discussion) and said project prioritization continues as grant awards (Congressional and other) are coordinated with the city’s planned work.
Council also reviewed presentations from the finance director and utility staff. The water rate amendment reflects both pass‑through increases from Great Lakes (GLWA) and the city’s capital needs (meter replacement and water‑main work); council approved the water ordinance changes on a recorded vote. Similarly, the council approved the recommended sanitary sewer ordinance amendments and the stormwater user charge (the stormwater program funds pump stations, Alger Pump Station upgrades and other drainage work).
All rate/ordinance motions were approved by recorded votes during the meeting; several budget and rate items passed unanimously. Councilmembers flagged the longer‑term policy problem of rising wholesale water charges and declining consumption (fixed cost allocation), and some called for state‑level solutions.
Votes at a glance: millage rates and rollback/levy motions — approved; water rate ordinance amendment — adopted; sanitary sewer ordinance amendment — adopted; stormwater user charge — adopted.
What happens next: The new millage and rate schedules will be reflected in upcoming bills and published in ordinance form; staff will continue to brief council about Clean Water Initiative project prioritization and bond timing and will provide additional detail on program uses on request.
