Title
Approval of Outline of Terms for resolution of Dearborn matters
Body
Agenda of: January 28, 2026
Item No.: 2026-025
Amount: Exact Amount to be determined
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: January 26, 2026
RE: Approval of Outline of Terms for resolution of Dearborn matters
MOTION
Upon recommendation of William M Wolfson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Interim General Counsel, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), approves the attached Outline of Terms; and authorizes the CEO and General Counsel to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dearborn joined the City of Detroit’s water system in the 1930s. At the time, Dearborn was a separately metered customer. At that time, Dearborn transferred to Detroit and removed its meter(s). Dearborn then continued to develop its system and receive service from Detroit as an unmetered customer until GLWA assumed operation of the regional system. As a part of the model contract development process that began in the 1990s, the system moved to full metering. After GLWA began operation of the regional system, the dispute with Dearborn over metering and charge requirements resulted in litigation. That litigation was later dismissed to give GLWA and Dearborn an opportunity to reach an amicable resolution of their differences. The attached proposed Outline of Terms reflects the parties’ plan to implement their resolution and has been approved by the City of Dearborn.
JUSTIFICATION
The attached Outline of Terms represents an amicable resolution of the customer relationship matters with the City of Dearborn.
BUDGET IMPACT
The proposed resolution has been considered in the formation of GLWA’s proposed budget and charges for FY27.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter is being presented directly to the full Board of Directors.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.