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Detroit city council discusses legal options in water fight

Spirit of Detroit
Photo by Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio
Spirit of Detroit

Members of the Detroit City Council plan to sit down with their attorneys today to see if they can have any say in a new deal for managing the city’s water system. 

Mayor Dave Bing announced a deal last week with Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties, giving more control of the water and sewer system to Detroit’s suburbs. That doesn’t sit well with Detroit City Council members, like Kwame Kenyatta,   who complain they weren’t consulted.  

"There is some concern for the mayor speaking and signing for the city of Detroit without a vote of approval by the legislative branch. He effectively cut us out of the process by making a unilateral decision.”

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Departmentserves more than 4 million people in Southeast Michigan. It’s been the center of controversy for years. Suburban customers have complained about rate hikes and cost overruns, and they’ve demanded more say over how the department is run.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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