Water and wastewater rates set to increase in Madison Heights

MADISON HEIGHTS — Starting July 1, Madison Heights taxpayers will be charged more for water and wastewater services on their quarterly bills.

The change was approved 6-0 by the Madison Heights City Council on May 8. Madison Heights City Councilmember David Soltis was absent. When asked May 10 how he would have voted, he said he would have approved it, too.

The measure will increase the water rate from $3.27 per unit to $4.26 per unit, and the sewer rate from $3.69 per unit to $6.30 per unit. One unit is equal to 748 gallons of water. There will no longer be a stormwater rate.

In total, the combined rate will now be $10.56 per unit, or 1.4 cents per gallon.

“We haven’t had a water rate increase in some years, yet our expenses have been going up,” said Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights. “Like any quality infrastructure, our system needs regular maintenance to keep it working properly, to keep it safe.

“The city has been subsidizing the increase in expense for years, but at some point, we had to pass on the increase to end users,” she said. “Even with the rate change, we still have among the lowest water bills in the area. This change will help us continue to maintain things.”

Madison Heights City Manager Melissa Marsh said the average water and wastewater bill will be $126.72 for three months, comparing it favorably to the regional average of $172.44.

She said the increase is necessary to fund both basic operations and capital improvements for the city’s water and wastewater distribution systems. Marsh also said that the city has been absorbing cost increases in recent years, and only modestly increased rates twice during that time.

According to Sean Ballantine, director of the Madison Heights Department of Public Services, the fees from water and sewer bills pay not only for water access, but also testing and treatment to improve water quality, and repairs and improvements to pipes and other infrastructure.

Officials noted that financial assistance is available for residents struggling to pay the bill.

One option is the Water Residential Assistance Program, or WRAP, available through the Great Lakes Water Authority. To apply, visit glwater.org/assistance.

Another option is the Low-Income Households Water Assistance Program by the state of Michigan. For more on that program, visit michigan.gov and search “LIHWAP.”

The city of Madison Heights will also now offer residents the option of paying their bill monthly instead of every three months, which can help with budgeting.

Those with questions about billing, the new rates or other utility matters can call the city at (248) 583-0845, or visit madison-heights.org.

Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem, said he strongly opposed the rate increase at first.

“I was furious when the proposal first came across my desk. But we had multiple meetings about it, and there really weren’t any other options. This is, unfortunately, a pass-through cost for us — the costs aren’t necessarily dictated by the city. We don’t have our own water supply, obviously. And with costs increasing, it becomes a challenge for us to find ways to deliver safe and treated water to our residents,” Bliss said.

“Still, I was really unhappy this involved a rate increase, especially in these economic times where our seniors — and anyone on a fixed income — are struggling through inflation,” he said. “Hopefully the slight decrease in our (city millage) will help offset it. But this is ultimately one of those scenarios that we sometimes see in government, and in life, where we have to accept there are some things we can’t necessarily change.”

Quinn Wright, a member of the Madison Heights City Council, said in a text message that safe drinking water remains a top priority for the city.

“I believe that, with carefully considered rate increases, it is vital to continue maintaining the (water and wastewater distribution) system,” Wright said. “Even though we are not immune to the impacts of inflation and rising costs, we still have the lowest rate in the region at 1.4 cents per gallon, which is a benefit to our residents.”

Bliss said he sees water as a human right, and he encourages people to take advantage of options like WRAP and LIHWAP, as well as monthly billing, if they need it.

“Nobody in Madison Heights is going to go without clean, safe, drinkable water,” he promised. “We have safeguards to avoid shutoffs, and we will work with you to get this done, connecting you with the appropriate resources if you can’t afford your water bill. After all, if someone falls behind on their bills, do you think it’s easier for them to catch up if you cut their water? Of course not. It’s a tax on the poor, and not a good business practice. But hopefully the resources we’re providing will alleviate some of the pain that our residents will undoubtedly feel.”