Eastpointe, MI - Seeks 4 percent water hike

Eastpointe City Manager D. Wayne O'Neal has proposed a 4 percent increase in water rates.

Published: May 30, 2005
By Tom Watts Macomb Daily Staff Writer

O'Neal will ask the City Council to approve a new rate of $53.16 a month -- a break down of $17.72 for water and $35.44 for sewer.
"The Board will have an ordinance that will come up in June," O'Neal said Friday. "They will vote on the increase and I see no opposition."
O'Neal said there were three areas that affected the rate hike: an increase of 3.5 percent for water from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department; a 14 percent increase for sewerage disposal; and the removal of the Lake St. Clair Clean Water Debt to the Chapter 20 debt millage.
"I see it as one of the lowest water rate increases we've had," he said. "The increases passed to us through the city of Detroit for its water and sewer is a big reason for the increase."
O'Neal said the city of Eastpointe is providing its residents with ongoing upgrades on its water mains and repairs on its many drains and sewers.
"We're looking at a new meter system for the city," he said. "We're preparing a flyer that will explain the need for a new meter system. The residents deserve to have upgrades in water and sewer."
The water and sewer rate analysis exhibit reflects an increase of $2.18, but O'Neal said he is recommending $2.16 for "rounding purposes."
Capital improvement funds in the amount of $1.5 million are included in the rate for ongoing improvements to the system, O'Neal said.