Muskegon Heights City Council Authorizes $2 Transaction Fee For Forgotten Water Bills

Andrew Trzaska | January 5, 2012

Starting February 1, 2012, residents of the City of Muskegon Heights will have to pay a small fee on top of their water and sewer bill costs if they neglect to bring their printed bills with them to city hall when paying.

On a recommendation from the city manager, the city council voted 5-1 to charge residents a 2 dollar “Transaction Service Fee” for payments made without bills present at the time of payment.

The fee is meant to offset the administrative costs associated with locating the resident’s account and verify the payment amount on demand.

City Manager Natasha Henderson noted the fees collected would be put directly into the city’s water and sewer fund and would not be relocated to other funds.

Muskegon Heights’ city council voted 5-1 Monday to approve the measure.  Councilman Keith Guy was absent from Monday’s meeting.  Councilwoman Patrice Johnson voted no on the recommendation.

This fee comes as the city recently submitted its Economic Vitality Plan to the state.  A requirement of the State of Michigan, municipalities must submit plans that exist strictly as ideas for future consolidation efforts should they require them.  With its finances righting and its deficit almost eliminated, Muskegon Heights does not plan on implementing all of the ideas in their consolidation plan at this time.