Mount Clemens commission adopts higher residential and wholesale water rates effective Oct. 1

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to adopt revised water and sewer rates and a separate wholesale rate change at its Sept. 17 meeting, approving changes meant to fund state-mandated improvements to water and wastewater treatment facilities.

City staff told the commission the attached resolution revises consumption charges for all City of Mount Clemens utility customers, with no change to fixed service charges, and that the measures support upgrades to pump stations, retention basins, the wastewater treatment plant and the water filtration plant. The new rates are effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Commissioners debated which pricing option to apply. Staff said the study’s option 3 would increase the average residential bill by about $1.30 per month. Commissioner Manser urged the commission to select option 4, saying it would raise rates by roughly $2.66 per month for an average residential user and would net the city about $150,000 to help repair water mains and cover mandated work. After a friendly amendment, the commission amended the resolution to apply option 4 and approved the motion on a roll-call vote.

The commission also approved a separate resolution revising wholesale water rates for the city’s wholesale customers, Clinton Township and Harrison Township; staff described the wholesale change as a 9.9% increase. That measure was adopted on roll call at the same meeting and is also effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Staff cautioned that the precise consumption charge under option 4 must still be computed with the city’s engineers; the resolution applies the chosen option and directs administration to finalize the dollar amounts. The administration said consumption increases are in line with surrounding communities and that the state Department of Environmental Quality has mandated significant plant improvements.

Votes at a glance
- Adoption of resolution revising residential water and sewer rates (apply option 4): adopted on roll call, unanimous (all present voted yes). The motion amended the staff-proposed resolution to apply option 4, which staff estimated would raise average residential consumption charges by about $2.66 per month and net roughly $150,000 for infrastructure repairs.
- Adoption of resolution revising wholesale water rates: adopted on roll call, unanimous (all present voted yes); wholesale rates increase 9.9% for Clinton Township and Harrison Township, effective Oct. 1, 2018.

The commission also approved purchases and invoices and the consent agenda during the same meeting. Administration will work with engineers to calculate and publish the specific consumption-charge amounts under the adopted option.