The city of Flint is waiting to hear if a Federal Judge will weigh in on a decision by the city council on a new water source to for Flint. The council voted on a 8 to 1 vote to approve a two-year contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).
The Mayor’s and Governor’s office had pushed for a thirty-year contract.
On October 17, federal judge David Lawson ordered the council to approve, deny, or find an alternative to the proposed 30-year contract with GLWA by Monday.
Scott Kincaid is a City Councilman who voted in favor of the two-year contract. He said the council needed more time for an independent analysis of the best long-term water source.
“The state is the one that caused this disaster in Flint and now it’s their decision to be a long-term customer with GLWA. I’m not convinced it’s in the best interest of the residents of the city of Flint.”
Kincaid said it’s egregious that the state would sue the city to get them to commit to the thirty-year contract.
Councilman Eric Mays was the lone supporter of the 30-year contract. He said the council has had more than enough time to make a decision.
“I agree with the judge that the city council squandered a whole lot of time early on, even before the lawsuit.”
In a written statement Mayor Karen Weaver said she did not believe the two-year extension is a viable solution, and she says GLWA would likely not approve the contract.
The Mayor's full statement is below:
“I do not believe a two-year extension is a viable solution since it does nothing to prevent Flint’s water system from becoming financially insolvent within two years, which is a very real possibility without a substantial rate increase. Furthermore, I do not see this proposed extension as a long-term solution because of the finances and EPA Order compliance requirements. All of GLWA’s contracts with wholesale customers are 30-year contracts; therefore it is unlikely that GLWA would agree to a two-year deal as proposed by Council.”