Flat Rock adopts balanced budget, keeps millage steady and approves 10% water/sewer rate increase

The Flat Rock City Council voted to adopt the final proposed fiscal-year budget after a short public hearing and confirmed that the city’s millage rates will remain essentially the same as last year.

City staff described the budget as balanced and said last-minute changes included settlement of the police contract and modest capital purchases such as a patrol vehicle. The budget package also includes the published millage rates: the general fund rate (net 19 mills with a quarter mill dedicated toward historical district), 1 mill for roads and streets, 1.75 mills for public safety and the library-related rate subject to statutory limitations.

Council also approved a water and sewer rate increase, described in the meeting as roughly a 10% across-the-board increase to usage rates while maintaining the $5,000 minimum bill and keeping the fixed meter charge unchanged. Officials said the increase addresses several years of supplier and operating-cost pressures and will take effect for bills issued after July 1.

A department head noted corrections to figures offered earlier by a resident about transit millage impacts (the resident had misstated two figures by a factor of 10). Council and staff emphasized that budget workshops are open to the public and that those workshops involve explanation and comment rather than votes.

What happens next: the new rates will appear on bills mailed after July 1; staff will proceed with the adopted budget and return for any future council action required by capital projects or unforeseen changes.