The city of Highland Park is entering mediation talks with the Great Lakes Water Authority, to work out a plan to pay more than 20 million dollars in past-due water bills.
Highland Park’s mayor says the city cannot afford to pay the debt, and wants to seek Chapter Nine bankruptcy protection. Metro Detroit suburban leaders applaud the negotiation, after Highland Park went to court to avoid paying off the bills. Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller says Highland Park needs to be held accountable.
“I’m glad it’s coming to a head and I do think that the city of Highland Park needs to come to the table to resolve this as an honest broker. Which means that they need to drop all of this endless litigation that has been going on for a decade. And all the money they’re spending on attorneys could be much better spent by trying to pay their water and sewer bills." said Miller.
Miller says any funding offered by the state to help Highland Park, should go to the suburbs that helped cover the city’s water debt.