Dearborn Heights City Council Chair Mo Baydoun (second from left) calls for a city water billing investigation after numerous residents complained of inexplicably high bills with no verifiable leakage or change of water usage, as Councilmembers Hassan Ahmad (left) and Hassan Saab listen.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS – City Council Chair Mo Baydoun called for an investigation into some residents’ inexplicably higher water bills during the Oct. 22 council meeting following numerous complaints by frustrated homeowners.
The council also voted to waive water bill late fees through the end of the calendar year.
The body stated in its resolution that it is committed to transparency, accountability and fair pricing in the management of public utilities.
The council called for an independent investigation to assess the billing practices and overall management of the Water Department, free from any potential conflicts of interest, with the findings being provided to the council to facilitate critical insights and recommendations that the council can use to address the concerns of residents and improve the water service provided.
The council called for a request for proposals for a water billing investigation. The investigation would look at current billing practices and rates, analysis of operational efficiency within the Water Department, examination of any potential discrepancies in water usage and billing, and assessment of customer service and responsiveness to residents’ inquiries and concerns.
Baydoun said the investigation is not a negative reflection on city employees.
He said he is receiving many calls that seem to indicate that water, a basic necessity for human life, is not affordable in Dearborn Heights.
Baydoun said he knows of no reason why water bills should be skyrocketing in Dearborn Heights.
He said numerous residents are upset, and one resident who spoke up at the meeting said he had a $14,000 water bill.
“We’re not talking your bill went from $100 to $180,” Baydoun said. “We’re hearing about $10,000 water bills, $14,000 water bills, $5,000 water bills, and these are not normal.”
He said the city can’t investigate its own department, so an outside investigative group is needed.
“A third party needs to go out and tell all of us,” Baydoun said. “We owe this to the residents.”