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Ferrysburg delays water/sewer discount decision pending rate study, legal guidance
Summary
Council heard a staff briefing on an RFP for a water/sewer rate study (proposals due next week; report expected by December) and agreed to defer any income-based billing discounts until the study and legal counsel provide guidance on eligibility and verification.
Staff told council that proposals for a water and sewer rate study are due next week and that a consultant report is expected sometime in December. The packet included county analysis on how many households might qualify under an income-based exemption and related property tax exemption forms as an example.
Councilors expressed caution about offering an income-based discount without fully understanding revenue impacts and legal limitations; the city attorney's guidance—that discounts may not be based on age but income-based programs are allowable—was referenced and council requested additional legal clarification on verification methods (for example, W-2s, tax returns or affidavits) before moving forward.
