Dearborn council adopts FY2027 water and sewer rate ordinance, council says increase funds GLWA charges and infrastructure

The Dearborn City Council voted unanimously on June 9 to adopt Ordinance 26-1867, updating the city’s water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2026.

City staff told the council the fiscal year 2027 water and sewer proposal uses the same rate methodology put in place in 2023 (roughly 28% fixed charges and 72% variable charges) and includes an overall accommodation increase the administration described as approximately 7.5%. Staff said the proposal accounts for $34.9 million in payments to GLWA and identified line items for water and sewer infrastructure replacements and debt service. A city representative also told the council the budget includes a $2.0 million allocation related to state-directed lead-service-line work the city described as an unfunded mandate.

Council members asked procedural questions before the final reading. The ordinance was read for final passage and approved by a roll-call vote with all seven members present voting yes: Elsawi, Sereni, O’Reilly, Enos, Paris, Abraham and Hammud.

Council President Sereni and staff emphasized that the rate structure differentiates fixed and variable charges to reflect actual water use and to maintain the system’s capital program. The administration said much of the increased spending will cover pass-through charges from the Great Lakes Water Authority and ongoing investments in water-system replacements.

The ordinance language and staff presentation set the rate changes to take effect July 1, 2026. The council did not attach amendments to the ordinance at final reading. The city did not publish a granular household-bill example during the meeting; customers seeking details on how the new rates will affect individual bills were directed to city water department materials and forthcoming postings on the city's website.