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Mount Clemens approves higher water and sewer rates to fund infrastructure work and GLWA transition
Summary
The commission approved retail and wholesale water and sewer rate resolutions after staff presented a Plant Moran study showing an average residential increase of about $2.28 per month tied to capital needs and the city’s planned transition to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to approve new retail and wholesale water and sewer rates after staff presented a consultant study showing the increases are necessary to pay for pending capital projects and the city’s planned transition to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
City Manager Shipman, summarizing a Plant Moran utility rate study, said Plant Moran “recommends water consumption rate of $6.04 per unit and water fixed monthly service charge of $11.10,” and recommended a sewer consumption rate and fixed monthly sewer charge tied to the city’s capital plan. Shipman told the commission the average residential increase would be about $2.28 per month based on a monthly usage of 2.5 units.
The administration said the increases support a program of capital improvements, including water-main and sewer-main replacements, upgrades to hydrants, lead service-line replacement, rebuild of a sewer clarifier, biosolids-handling upgrades and pump-station and roof repairs. Shipman noted the city plans to close its water treatment plant and join the Great Lakes Water Authority, and that numerous state grants and loans (including debt forgiveness) contributed to the plan but that remaining local funding is required to proceed.
Commissioners repeatedly framed the vote as difficult but necessary given infrastructure needs. After discussion the commission moved and approved the retail water and sewer rates resolution and related wholesale and district-rate resolutions by roll-call vote. Shipman and other staff said the revenue will be dedicated to the listed capital projects and system improvements.
Affecting customers: staff characterized the decision as a staged approach to minimize immediate rate shock while funding multi‑year projects. The administration did not provide an exact implementation date in the presentation; residents with specific billing questions were referred to city staff.
The commission also approved related wholesale rates and District D sewer rates during the same meeting.
