Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — During Tuesday evening’s City of Jackson Council meeting, Council approved a resolution to increase the water and sewer rates by a total of $33 per quarterly bill for the average City resident, as shown in “Option #1” in the picture below. The increases will occur during the next two fiscal years.

The vote on the resolution was split 4 in favor and 3 against. Mayor Daniel Mahoney, Vice Mayor Freddie Dancy (Ward 2), and Councilmembers Connor Wood (Ward 4) and Will Forgrave (Ward 6) voted yes. Councilmembers Arlene Robinson (Ward 1), Angelita Gunn (Ward 3), and Christy May Davis (Ward 5) voted against the measure.

City Manager Jonathan Greene says that state and federal mandates have created a need for Council to address the issue as opposed to doing nothing.

Manager Greene says that state grant money to help was unlikely to be a viable option.

He acknowledged that Council had to choose between “two bad options” during the meeting, and City residents now face the unwanted reality of another rate increase resulting in higher bills for at least the next two years.

This motion was on the agenda during the May 27th City Council meeting, but a decision on the matter was postponed until the June 10th meeting.