(The Center Square) – A new deal, if agreed to by all parties, could end a 10-year dispute over Highland Park’s roughly $55 million of unpaid water bills.
On Wednesday night, the Highland Park City Council unanimously approved a tentative agreement with the state of Michigan.
Michigan committed to release a $25 million sewer infrastructure grant for the Great Lakes Water Authority, fund a $5 million GLWA drinking water infrastructure grant and fund the installation of master water and temporary sewer meters and water main and service line replacement.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer helped broker the deal, according to a news release.
“Every Michigander should be able to live in a community that can deliver safe, affordable, and accessible water,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I’m proud that GLWA and Highland Park are one step closer to an agreement to ensure that we can protect access to drinking water for every family in the community. An agreement will help move this community move forward, lower costs, and implement a fairer system for surrounding communities.”
The GLWA board must still approve the proposal. The city and water authority would also be responsible for additional commitments under their side of the tentative agreement if approved by all parties.
Some of Highland Park’s water infrastructure is nearly 120 years old and some estimates say the city loses about 70% of its water due to poor infrastructure.
Currently, Highland Park and GLWA are fighting a court battle over $55 million total in disputed water bills. The agreement, if approved by all parties, will dismiss all lawsuits including a recent $24 million judgment against Highland Park that would likely bankrupt the 9,000-resident city, of which 46.5% of the total population lives at or below the poverty line.
Newly installed water master meters will ensure the city and GLWA will have an accurate accounting of residents’ water and sewage usage to prevent future disputes over water and sewer bills.
Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, welcomed the news.
“Our goal has always been to resolve the situation in a way that one, doesn’t put this large financial judgment on the backs of Highland Park residents, and two, addresses long-term water infrastructure needs of Highland Park,” Chang said in a statement. “The agreement that was reached today does both and puts to rest an issue that has plagued this community for a decade.”
GLWA media contact Ashleigh Chatel welcomed the proposal.
“The Great Lakes Water Authority thanks Gov. Whitmer, the state of Michigan and the city of Highland Park for moving us forward to this proposed agreement. We are glad to see the Highland Park City Council take the important action of approving the agreement. Our next step is to present it to our Board of Directors at their regular meeting on October 25, 2023. While all parties involved agree that much work remains, there is also concurrence that this agreement represents a fresh start for our collective relationships as we work together into the future.”
