The prospect of property tax increases hitting residents’ mailboxes as early as July is among the avenues being contemplated amid a yearslong legal battle between the city and the Great Lakes Water Authority over an estimated $20 million in unpaid water and sewer bills.
The Michigan Supreme Court rejected Highland Park’s request to hear the city’s appeal of a ruling last year that the city must pay $24 million in unpaid water and sewer fees to the GLWA.
The reduction of water leaks will help reduce the city s sewer bill from $7 million to $2.4 million a year, Damon Garrett, director of the city s water department, said Thursday.