Three Rivers approves budget as water concerns spark heated commissioner exchange

The Three Rivers City Commission unanimously adopted its fiscal year 2026-27 budget Tuesday night with little discussion and no amendments.

Watershed Voice livestreamed Tuesday’s meeting on Facebook. A recording is also available on Watershed Voice’s YouTube channel.

Commissioners applauded Finance and Administration Director Bobbi Schoon for preparing what several described as a strong budget. During the public hearing, only two residents commented — one raising concerns about road conditions and another asking what provisions the city had made for people experiencing homelessness.

“After the presentation and going through everything, I think it’s a good budget,” Commissioner Pat Dane said. “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t approve it tonight.”

The adopted budget covers the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. Across all city funds, it includes approximately $26 million in projected revenues and $30.9 million in expenditures. Those totals include the general fund, water and sewer utilities, ambulance services, streets, the library and other component units. 

The city’s general fund, which pays for most day-to-day government operations, includes about $7 million in revenues and nearly $9 million in expenditures. 

Among the largest general fund expenditures are $2.81 million for police services, $792,935 for fire services, $334,837 for parks and recreation, and $2.07 million for special projects. The budget also includes continued funding for hazardous structure demolition, housing initiatives and infrastructure improvements, which city officials identified as priorities for the coming year. 

Commissioner Torrey Brown addressed what he described as roughly $8 million in unallocated fund balance, explaining that while residents may view the money as simply sitting unused, much of it is set aside for future projects and emergencies. Brown said maintaining those reserves gives the city flexibility to respond quickly when unexpected needs arise.

Mayor Angel Johnston also praised Schoon, saying the budget and presentation exceeded her expectations.

“There’s always things in a budget that everybody doesn’t agree on,” Johnston said, adding that while she would change some items, she was satisfied overall.

Johnston said she was disappointed by the small turnout for the public hearing and expressed frustration that some residents discuss city issues extensively on Facebook but do not attend meetings to share those concerns in person.

“I have no reason to vote against this budget either,” Johnston said. “It’s better than I expected.”

The budget was adopted unanimously and will take effect July 1. Any future changes would require approval through a budget amendment at a subsequent City Commission meeting.

Water quality and lead line funding

Commissioners also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing city staff to apply for funding through Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, or DWSRF.

The program could help finance the replacement of lead service lines throughout the city. Public Works Director Amy Roth said Three Rivers has approximately 260 known lead service lines remaining as of April 30, while the city’s project plan submitted to the state includes up to 616 known or suspected lead service lines. 

The discussion prompted several questions about the quality of the city’s drinking water, which was a recurring topic throughout the meeting.

Roth emphasized that the city’s water is safe to drink.

“This project does nothing for rusty water,” Roth said.

She explained that much of the city’s older cast-iron water infrastructure can cause discoloration and a metallic taste, but said that issue is primarily aesthetic and does not indicate unsafe drinking water.

Roth said the city’s most recent lead sampling result was 12 parts per billion, down from 27 parts per billion in the previous testing period. Under federal regulations, utilities must take corrective action when lead levels exceed 15 parts per billion at the 90th percentile of sampled homes.

Approval of the resolution only authorizes the city to submit its application for funding. If Three Rivers qualifies for a grant or loan package, commissioners will decide later whether to accept the assistance and proceed with the project.

Other business

Commissioners also adopted the city’s annual user fee schedule, which updates charges for a variety of municipal services, permits, and code violations.

The fee schedule includes modest increases to water and sewer commodity rates. Beginning July 1, the water commodity rate will increase from $2.69 to $2.84 per 100 cubic feet, while the sewer commodity rate will rise from $3.75 to $3.79 per 100 cubic feet. 

During discussion, commissioners voted to keep the fine for parking on sidewalks at $50 after the proposed schedule would have reduced it to $25.

Commissioners also approved a $149,644.50 contract with Roberts Brothers Excavating to remove approximately 290 tree stumps left behind by the March 6 tornado. The project was not budgeted and will be paid for using the city’s general fund balance.

Johnston and Brown clash during commissioner comments

The meeting ended on a tense note as Johnston and Brown engaged in a heated exchange over resident complaints about water quality.

During commissioner comments, Johnston read several Facebook comments from residents and visitors who expressed frustration about discolored water and other city concerns. Commissioner Pat Dane asked whether the comments were from city residents, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing local concerns, and encouraging people to raise issues directly during public meetings.

Brown responded by asking whether the resident Johnston referenced had taken steps to test her water or contact the city for assistance.

“If she doesn’t even know what’s going on with her water, that’s the first step,” Brown said, referring to the resident whose Facebook comment Johnston was reading. “A lot of people in town get on Facebook and say, ‘I want this done, this done, this done and this done,’ but what have you done to figure out what’s going on with your water in the first place?”

Johnston said she was standing up for residents who have legitimate concerns and noted that she herself has experienced brown water.

“So when I say that I need people to come to meetings and back me up, this is the kind of thing I’m talking about because these are perfectly legitimate concerns,” Johnston said. “Many of which we’ve discussed tonight, and I have a commissioner arguing with me saying a resident doesn’t know what’s in her water.”

“That’s the biggest issue in the entire city,” Brown responded. “Our residents don’t know what’s in their water.”

Johnston said Brown was tearing down a resident who had raised a legitimate concern.

“I’m trying to give the resident a way to figure out what’s going on in her house,” Brown said. “And the first step is to get it tested.”

After Commissioner Anthony Stanfill attempted to calm the discussion, Johnston said, “This is why people are afraid to come to City Hall.”

“Don’t put that on me. I won’t let you,” Brown replied.

Johnston interrupted Brown again after he said he supported the resident who made the comment.

“Then act like it,” Johnston said.

“I am, and I’m trying to give her a route to get her stuff fixed,” Brown said. “I’m not going to let you bully me. That’s not what’s going to happen.”

Johnston then called for adjournment.

“That’s cute. Let’s adjourn,” she said. “Everybody in favor of adjourning this pathetic end to an otherwise delightful meeting, say aye.”

The commission voted to adjourn, ending a meeting that had otherwise focused on the city’s budget, water infrastructure and tornado cleanup.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.