BWL rate increases

Urged Council to weigh BWL increases against stacked costs — sewer and four new millages could total about $20 more per month for the average household — and flagged a $15 monthly opt-out fee for seniors without upgraded meters and unclear holiday definitions in the rate documents.

Argued cumulative electric increases exceed 15% over three years and water over 45% over four years, criticized rising fixed service charges ($23 vs. DTE's $8.50-$10), and said no independent expert analysis of the increases was provided.

Detailed BWL's roughly 20% cumulative rate increase over five years and contrasted its limited public process with the MPSC process governing investor-owned utilities.