Water Bill Hikes Worry Locals As Safety Concerns Grow

Battle Creek City Commissioner Jake Smith has stated that the city of Battle Creek is once again considering increases to the water bills.

Battle Creek residents had been informed by the city that the water is not safe to consume; however, the city is apparently ready to once again increase the rates in part two, according to him, to support additional infrastructure needed to serve the Ford BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall.

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He expressed his frustration that this large corporation will receive inside the city water rate, and the city may need to borrow additional funds to continue expanding the system:

Why do regular residents continue to pay more while large corporations receive favorable rates and incentives? What's the benefit of bringing a massive new plant to the region if local taxpayers and utility customers are expected to keep subsidizing the infrastructure needed to support it?

As he continued, he made a great point that emphasizes the fact that corporate handouts are costing the taxpayers over and over again:

If Ford paid the full cost of the service and infrastructure required to support the plant, would we still need these constant rate increases for residents? Anyway, check the comments for the agenda packet. I swear I have a real job and I'm trying to step away from this stuff, but for crying out loud, somebody should be talking about it.

This news obviously has the community worried and upset that the water the city says isn't safe for consumption is about to go up again. Voice your concerns to us on the CHAT button on our app.