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Residents raise concerns about pension payment timing and estimated water billing
Summary
During public comment, retirees and residents told the council that police and fire pension checks were not made available immediately and that water customers have received years of estimated bills; city staff acknowledged a bank change and directed residents to department staff for follow-up.
Two issues from residents drew staff attention at Inkster’s March 3 public comment period: retirees said pension payments were being delayed by bank processing, and at least one household complained of repeated estimated water bills and difficulty obtaining reimbursements.
John Knight told the council that pension checks were "delivered the checks 3 days ahead of time, but they instruct the institution not to honor the checks until the third," and asked the council to investigate the delay. The treasurer responded that the police and fire pension accounts recently changed banks and that payment availability can depend on the retiree’s personal bank. The treasurer said the city provides the payment files to the bank and that staff will follow up, including at the police and fire pension board meeting.
A separate resident said they had been billed on an estimated basis for two years and related that a city worker told them "we cannot ... reimburse you if you overpay it." City staff and council directed the resident to speak with Director Bivens of DPS (who oversees water services) and indicated refunds or crediting would be investigated; council asked staff to follow up with the resident.
What happens next: the treasurer indicated she will follow up with the pension board and bank staff; Director Bivens or DPS staff will review the water-billing inquiry and discuss possible crediting or reinspection of the meter.
