A judge will consider a request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Flint’s skyrocketing water and sewer rates this week.
Since 2011, Flint’s water and sewer rates have more than doubled. City officials say the rate increases are needed to cover rising costs in the system.
But Attorney Val Washington says that’s not how the city is using the money.
“Instead of being used what it’s for….water and sewer….related expenses,” says Washington, “It's being used to pay the general obligations of the city.”
Washington says the city should reimburse residents, which would cost millions of dollars. That’s a big expense for a city already struggling with a 19 million dollar deficit.
The Flint city attorney declined to comment on the lawsuit.
State appeals courts have already rejected a portion of the lawsuit that claimed the water rate increases constituted a violation of Michigan’s tax laws.
