Deal for Creating Regional Water Authority May Be Near, Detroit News Reports

Nolan Finley, columnist with the Detroit News, reports this morning that the City of Detroit and its suburban customers are close to a deal that would see the formation of a regional water authority. The City would reportedly be paid $50 million per year over 40 years as part of the deal being negotiated with Judge Sean Cox. 

Specific details are not available due to a gag order issued for the talks, however, Mr. Finley reports the following outline: 

A six-member board would be formed, with two appointments coming from the city of Detroit, one each from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, as well as one from the state. Currently, the authority that runs the city-owned water system has four members appointed by Detroit and three by the suburbs.

All major decisions by the new authority, including contract awards, rate increases and construction projects, would require five votes.

That’s similar to the protocol at the Cobo Center authority, which requires a unanimous vote on major issues, a stipulation demanded by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. In exchange for acquisition of the water system and its assets, the authority would pay the city $50 million a year for 40 years. That premium was the major sticking point of the talks.

Stay tuned for more details. 

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