Residents urge Battle Creek commission to back statewide water-affordability program

Several residents and advocates urged the Battle Creek commission during general public comment Nov. 18 to support a statewide water‑affordability program that would help low‑income customers pay water and sewer bills.

"Residents that are within your municipalities cannot afford the bills as the costs keep going up and up," Sylvia Arduno said, asking the commission to consider a resolution in support of pending state legislation. She said Jackson had recently passed a similar resolution and that the proposed state program would provide a consistent mechanism for assistance across municipalities.

Rosen Walker described meeting with local residents who are seniors and working families struggling to keep water service: "We all need a way for our families to pay water bills, sanitation and storm water bills they can afford," he said. Alton McIntyre, who has advocated for clean and affordable water since 2015, asked the commission to back water‑affordability legislation to ensure access statewide.

Speakers noted federal pandemic-era funds that once helped households are exhausted and that a small state appropriation remains inadequate. They offered a packet of proposed legislation and a sample letter for the commission to consider and said cities could either administer the program locally or use a state-administered option.

Commissioners did not take immediate action during the meeting; staff and commissioners acknowledged the request and the speakers offered to discuss materials after the meeting.