Mayor Neeley Responds to No votes by City Council - March 5, 2026

During the City of Flint meeting on March 5, 2026, Mayor Neeley addressed two critical issues that faced opposition in the City Council: a proposed 5.8% water rate increase from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLIWA) and a new contract for the Flint Police Officers Union. The administration emphasized that the water rate increase would not be passed on to residents due to a $1 million allocation to the water stabilization fund, funded by general funds originally sourced from ARPA dollars. Despite a strong, balanced city budget, the Mayor criticized council members for voting against measures to protect residents from increased water costs, attributing their opposition to political maneuvering rather than fiscal realities. On the public safety front, the administration highlighted the importance of the police contract, which includes the largest pay raise in Flint's history for officers, aimed at improving recruitment, retention, and morale. The contract, estimated to cost $1.9 million over three years, was also met with resistance from the council, which the Mayor and police leadership condemned as detrimental to community safety. The administration called on residents to hold council members accountable and participate in upcoming meetings to advocate for these critical issues.