Q&A with city manager about Sept. 23 event
By Barb Pert Templeton
A townhall meeting will be hosted in Marine City next week in hopes of informing residents about their water bills and sewer rates.
The meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the commission chambers at city hall.
In August, the city commission announced that a pair of townhalls would be added to the calendar in both September and October. The second event is set for Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 and the topic will be Old City Hall at 300 Broadway.
City Manager Michael Reaves previously stated that questions like how to read a water bill, what do the numbers on water bills mean, what’s a unit and what does the ready-to-serve notation mean, are all questions that will be answered.
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves.
The second portion of the upcoming townhall will talk about how water and sewer rates are set with the assistance of the Michigan Rural Water Association. A representative from that group will do a presentation on how water and sewer rates are set and the science behind it.
Reaves said most people don’t understand that there are a lot of different factors that go into how water and sewer rates are set. The townhall will also address understanding what consumers are actually paying for and what happens when the funding falls short.
At the August meeting announcing the townhalls Reaves also noted that the information will be basic so people understand it, he won’t be showing off 68-page excel spreadsheet.
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Reaves to pose some additional questions about the water and sewer townhall.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How will this first townhall be presented?
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves: There are two townhalls scheduled. They will be run in the same format. The first townhall is scheduled for Tuesday 9/23/25 @ 6:30 pm at the Marine City Hall -260 S Parker Street in Marine City. The event will also be available live on Channel 6; with a recording made on YouTube. The second Town hall will be Tuesday Oct. 21, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – that town hall will also be at the same location -Marine City Hall. The presentation will be on the Old City Hall -300 Broadway. We welcome public comment, questions, and input on these important community issues.
BWHL: Who will be presenting the information – city manager, council members, WD people?
Reaves: We will have the city manager, the city clerk, and the city treasurer make a presentation, as well as two representatives from the Michigan Rural Water Association – who have been working with the city for months studying and reviewing water & sewer rates.
BWHL: Has the city hosted something like this before for water rates/bills?
Reaves: Not to my knowledge.
BWHL: What’s the main reason the city is hosting this event?
Reaves: To educate the public on these issues and processes and allow for ample public input to these processes. Decisions regarding both of these issues will eventually be made in front of the city commission, so the presentation to the public is an important part of the process.
BWHL: Have the actual paper water bills changed recently prompting this town hall?
Reaves: No- there has been no recent change in the water bills that prompted this informational town hall. City staff, along with MRWA representatives, have been working to complete a comprehensive study of the water & sewer rates.
This flyer is being circulated in Marine City to let residents know about a townhall on water and sewer issues.
BWHL: What does the administration hope these town hall does for the public?
Reaves: We hope to inform and educate the public on these topics; we really hope to receive public comment and input on both of these topics. Future decisions regarding these topics require community knowledge and input.
BWHL: Will this be an open casual format or be held similar to a city council meeting with an agenda and residents taking turns stepping to the podium?
Reaves: The setting will be more casual. We will have no actual business meeting of the commission – however some commission members may also be present to listen to the presentations at both town meetings and ask questions.
BWHL: Can residents that can’t attend email their questions to the city prior to the meeting?
Reaves: Absolutely.
