You’d better not mess with Detroit! Or, you’ll get what’s coming to you!

The latest shakedown of Taxpayers in Southeastern Michigan took an interesting turn this morning.

Not because of its inaccessible meeting location at Waterworks Park in Detroit.

But, because of something that wasn’t expected during the meeting.

{Oh, you’re gonna love this…}

The outcome of this morning’s lease vote of the Great Lakes Water Authority wasn’t really in any doubt.

Most of the players had agreed to “play nice”: Detroit, Wayne County, and Oakland County via obedient lapdog L. Brooks Patterson.

Slight problem, Macomb County wasn’t willfully and dutifully marching to Kevyn Orr/Rick Snyder/Stephen Rhodes/Sean Cox’s  fife.

A quick breakdown of the lease to get everyone up to speed.

As part of the Plan of Adjustment during the Detroit (non) Bailout, the Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD) would be spun off into a separate regional authority. The City of Detroit would retain ownership of the system, while the surrounding communities (via county representation) would have an overview capacity of the authority via a governing board. This would consist of The City of Detroit which would have two members, each county having one member, and one member would essentially be an “at-large” appointed made by the governor.

As part of the agreement for this regional “oversight”, water rates were to be capped at 4% annually, depending upon the authority making its budget (this is an important sticking point that I will get into in a moment). Local communities would also have to pay an additional $50-million/year for the next 40 years into the system on top of the water rates they already pay.

To assist those unwilling unable to pay their bills, a program called the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) would be created. This slush fund would be used to help those with paying their water bills.

There is a very noticeable lack of openness and transparency on all last minute negotiations with a public authority due to a “gag order” imposed by Judges Rhodes and Cox.

I’m not sure which country these Judges feel that they live in, but I’ll leave that topic for another discussion.

I should also add that this hasn’t stopped Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel from very publicly expressing his displeasure on the status of this agreement.

That’s the program in a nutshell.

So what happened this morning?

Well, first thing; Kevyn Orr/Rick Snyder/Stephen Rhodes/Sean Cox got what they wanted, when in a 5-1 vote, a majority of members to sign off on this.

And who was that lone holdout?

None other than the Macomb County board member Brian Baker.

In the Detroit News, Baker was quoted,

“We’re paying more with too little say.”

He went on to say that customers would pay close to $90 million more under the deal.

If anyone wants a hint about why they will soon be paying more: look here and look here.

If this little dog-and-pony show wasn’t bad enough, get this: Shortly before adjourning, the board voted 5-1 to remove Baker.

Under Article 7 of the Great lakes Water Authority’s own Articles of Incorporation, they cannot legally do this.

Apparently wrong-thinking will be punished and right-thinking will be rewarded.

It will be curious to see how Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel will handle this little kick in the groin slap in the face.

Will Macomb County Prosecutor be seeing action because of the GLWA’s actions?

Stay tuned…