Three Oaks resident says four-unit house billed four "ready-to-serve" fees despite single meter

Tim Woodall, owner of 410 Hickory Street, told the Village of Three Oaks Public Service Committee on Feb. 6 that his four-unit residential property is served by a single water meter but is billed four ready-to-serve fees.

"Although the property has a single water meter, it is billed four ready-to-serve fees," Woodall said, adding that his monthly bills have ranged from about $330 to $360 and that total water-related expenses exceed $400 when treatment costs are included.

Committee members and staff explained the village applies charges by Residential Equivalent Units (REUs) rather than by meter count. Staff said ready-to-serve fees cover fixed system costs such as staffing, electricity and infrastructure and are applied uniformly across properties in the village. Staff also noted that installation of private wells is prohibited by a village ordinance and that adding separate meters would not alter the underlying REU assessment.

The committee discussed comparisons to other multi-unit properties in the village but did not take action. Woodall requested reconsideration of the fee structure for multi-unit properties served by a single meter; the committee acknowledged the concern and reaffirmed that the billing structure is applied uniformly.

The Michigan Rural Water Association will conduct an on-site rate study beginning Feb. 17, 2026; staff said results of that study will be presented at a future meeting and could inform any policy changes.