Politics & Government

Detroit Emergency Manager's Water Plan Tanks in Suburbs

The Detroit News reports county officials believe the financially troubled city is trying to 'cash in' on its water system.

Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr's plan to move Detroit's water department under the umbrella of a regional authority isn't flying with suburban officials. 

Whatever happens with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department may impact service and costs for millions of customers in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. 

According to The Detroit NewsOrr originally proposed the counties pay $9 billion for more control over the system; the structured payments would provide Detroit with as much as $200 million a year for 40 years. 

Daddow said the financial terms and proposed structure of the authority are "more favorable to Detroit than the suburbs", the newspaper reported.

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco told the News he thinks the city is trying to "cash in" on the water department. And Wayne County Commissioner Shannon Price (R-Canton) said “We have to come up with the lease agreement price that’s equitable for everyone."

Read the full story in The Detroit News.


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