FLINT, Mich. — Flint residents won’t see Great Lakes Water Authority’s (GLWA) water rate hike trickle down to their bills under the city’s proposed 2025-2026 budget.
The budget proposal comes less than a week after GLWA announced the 5.9% increase for Flint.
While water rates will remain unchanged, the city plans to ramp up collection efforts by issuing notices and resuming shut-offs for nonpayment. The City’s water and sewer services are funded by the utility bills paid by city residents.
Millions have been invested in Flint’s water and sewer systems in recent years through federal and state grants—including $100 million in funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2017.
Planned upgrades to the Water Pollution Control (WPC) facility include replacing outdated industrial equipment, converting from chlorine disinfection to ultraviolet light for improved safety and rehabilitating the access point for untreated wastewater and grit removal systems.
Additional investments will made to improve sewage disposal, catch basins and flood mitigation efforts.
The administration also aims to secure grants for improvements in public transportation, including bus shelters, bike lanes, speed bumps and road diets.
The proposed budget includes $64 million in general fund revenue, with no increases in property or income tax rates. Moderate growth is reflected in the 2026 budget, which allocates $68 million for essential public services and staff, including some ARPA funding.
Other top priorities in the budget include public safety, blight elimination, pension obligations and staffing.
Public safety is the largest expenditure, with police and fire departments receiving the majority of funding.
The police department will focus on retaining its 116 sworn officers, providing wage increases, training and investments in technology for crime prevention.
Meanwhile, the fire department plans to hire three additional firefighters, expand fire prevention programs, and invest in new equipment and vehicle upgrades. Additionally, $250,000 from the Opioid Settlement Fund will support fire-related professional services.
The city plans to use funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for blight removal and to continue partnering with local organizations for neighborhood stabilization.
Pension costs remain a financial challenge for the city, though a 2023 state-funded grant of $172 million will help stabilize expenses for the coming years.
While the city has made progress—such as a decline in unemployment from 13.9% to 6.1%—long-term financial stability remains uncertain due to rising pension costs.
“The city has faced many financial obstacles including an underfunded pension system which left us struggling to provide services for our citizens,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley in a March 4, 2025 statement. “Through prayer planning and partnership, we are able to once again present a balanced budget, proving that Flint is on the path to long-term financial health.”