Title
Resolution Opposing the Water Affordability Act
Body
Whereas, House Bills 5088 through 5093 have been introduced in the State of Michigan House of Representatives and Senate Bills 549 through 554 have been introduced in the State of Michigan Senate (hereinafter “bills”); and
Whereas, the above referenced bills have been referred to State House of Representatives and State Senate committees for consideration; and
Whereas, these introduced bills would, if enacted into law, impose new fees on Michigan residents who receive water from municipal water providers; and
Whereas, the fees in the proposed legislation would add between $24 and $36 to the annual water bills of City of Rochester Hills residents; and
Whereas, the fee proposed will have a disproportionate negative impact on low-income residents and seniors because it is a fixed fee without consideration of water usage; and
Whereas, the intent of the introduced bills is to assist lower income residents throughout Michigan by paying their water bills; and
Whereas, City of Rochester Hills is responsible for the distribution of water to approximately 30,000 residential households and commercial customers received from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA); and
Whereas, GLWA currently provides a Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) that offers low-income customers an income-based assistance plan with up to $100 a month in bill credits, $2,400 in bill arrearage assistance, and $2,000 in plumbing repairs; and
Whereas, City of Rochester Hills funds the WRAP within the current charges it receives from GLWA and must pass along those charges to the residential and commercial customers through the current water rates which are calculated each year and approved by the City Council; and
Whereas, the City of Rochester Hills has established a Water System Advisory Council to review water and sewer rates on an annual basis and provide a recommendation to City Council, and the Water System Advisory Counc...
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