Flint City Council Rejects Mayor’s $1M Water Stabilization Proposal

Flint City Council Rejects Proposal to Bolster Water Fund Amid Rate Hike

From Left: Chief of Staff Ed Taylor, ASL Interpreter Tracy Trace, Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Finance Director Phil Moore address members of the press on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

FLINT, Mich. – In a significant decision, the City Council has turned down a proposal by Mayor Sheldon Neeley to allocate an additional $1 million to Flint’s Water Stabilization Fund. This fund would have mitigated the impact of a 5.8 percent water rate hike introduced by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).

Chief of Staff Ed Taylor expressed disappointment, stating, “Today, Flint families lost.”

Mayor Neeley highlighted the struggles Flint families face, noting, “Families in Flint are already struggling with rising costs, and this ‘no’ vote puts them at even greater risk.” He criticized the decision, emphasizing, “It’s unacceptable that politics are taking priority over the basic needs of our residents.”

Despite the setback, Mayor Neeley committed to pursuing other avenues to counteract GLWA’s rate increases, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on Flint residents.