Council holds first reading on removing sewer-disposal exemption; condo association seeks clarification

The Dearborn City Council held the first reading of Ordinance 25-1860 to amend chapter 19 to remove an exemption that had allowed property owners to request relief from sewer-disposal charges when they could demonstrate metered water did not enter the sanitary system.

Director of Public Works Tim Hawkins told the council the exemption dates back to 1985 and that staff had found very few, if any, active exemptions. "The problem with that is, to say there's 0 runoff to the storm system or the sanitary system is almost impossible to prove," Hawkins said, citing issues such as sprinkler heads breaking and runoff into drains.

A Garrison Hill condominium association representative told the council the association had submitted documentation in 2022 seeking qualification and had not received a substantive response. The council and city attorney said the burden of proof under the current code rests with the property owner to demonstrate the water did not enter the sewer system.

The ordinance received its first reading at the meeting. Council members did not finalize a change at this session; staff agreed to furnish records of any prior exemptions and to meet with the condo association to explain required proof and the administrative process. The city indicated any long-term policy change would require further council action after staff and legal review.