Clawson keeps water rate stable but raises fixed charges; sewer consumption rises slightly

Clawson's City Council approved changes to water and sewer billing on May 19 that include maintaining the water consumption rate at $38.06 per 1,000 cubic feet while increasing the water fixed quarterly charge to $20.62 and the sewer fixed quarterly charge to $26. The council also approved raising the sewer consumption rate to $97.48 per 1,000 cubic feet; changes take effect with billing dates beginning July 1, 2026.

City Manager (speaker 2) and finance staff explained the city faces wholesaler increases from the South East Oakland County Water Authority and the Water Resource Commission but said retained earnings and planned bond-funded projects will allow the operating funds to absorb several costs. Staff estimated the combined change would amount to about a 4% increase for a typical customer using 1,500 units in a quarter (about $3.36 per month).

Council members thanked finance staff for unusually detailed backup material. Council member Tinland and others noted the complexity of rate-setting and asked about litigation risk; the city attorney (speaker 10) reviewed prior regional litigation and said Clawson's rates had been reviewed by outside counsel previously and that staff is doing groundwork to support rate decisions.

The council also adopted the FY2627 user-fee schedule, which includes a new $3,000 deposit for hydrant-meter/backflow equipment used by developers (refundable on return) and removal of certain library guest-pass and video-rental fees while retaining late fees. Staff said the hydrant-meter deposit protects city equipment used for commercial construction and is intended for larger development projects only.