Highland Park makes $1 million payment in water debt case - Detroit Free Press

Highland Park pays $1 million in water debt case

Highland Park makes $1 million payment in water debt case
Jenna Prestininzi

Highland Park made a $1 million payment to the Great Lakes Water Authority in a case over the city's unpaid water bills. The city faces over $20 million in debt amid an ongoing financial crisis.

The payment was made as part of an interim agreement reached last week between the GLWA and Highland Park, the GLWA announced Friday. The GLWA has several cases against the city, including one from 2014 in which a $24 million judgment was issued against the city over unpaid water and wastewater fees.

The city has struggled with its finances over the past few months, leading to a bankruptcy filing in April. The Michigan Supreme Court upheld a previous ruling in April, ordering the city to pay over $20 million to the GLWA.

The GLWA will continue working with all involved parties in the case, including through court-ordered facilitation, the GLWA said.

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The GLWA plans to distribute the payment funds among community partners who took on part of the debt cost. The details will be announced after the June 28 GLWA Board of Directors meeting.