11/3/2025 - Suttons Bay Village | Committee Gatherings

Summary

The Utility/Marina Committee of Suttons Bay convened on November 3, 2025, for a discussion primarily centered around the upcoming water rate increase for 2026 and budget preparations. The meeting featured staff reports, public comments, and a review of the fee schedule and budgets for utilities and the marina.

Public Comments

Kristin Crackel addressed the committee regarding concerns about water runoff at her property located at 418 St Marys. The committee acknowledged her remarks but did not provide specific responses during the meeting.

Infrastructure Projects

The meeting highlighted a planned increase in water rates effective January 1, 2026. The 2026 utility rate schedule was discussed, with a $0.75 increase in cost per 1,000 gallons of water, resulting in a new rate of $4.70. Additionally, the "Ready to Serve" charges will be adjusted accordingly, detailed in the prepared tables. The discussion emphasized informing the public about these changes and the subsequent budget implications.

Other Business

The committee reviewed multiple budget discussions related to the 2026 fee schedules for various services. This included the marina budget and general services, but no specific decisions or votes were documented due to the preliminary nature of the discussions.

Financial Summary

The anticipated financial changes include: - A new cost for "Ready to Serve" ranging from $11.98 to $683.09, dependent on meter size and type. - An increase in the cost of water usage for 2026 to $4.70 per 1,000 gallons, which marks a $0.75 increase from 2025. - A fee structure for sewer connection and other services was additionally noted, but specific financial approvals or denials were not reported.

Action Items

- The committee is expected to finalize the 2026 fee schedules and budget discussions in subsequent meetings. - Follow-ups on the water runoff concerns raised by Kristin Crackel may be necessary, though no immediate action was specified during this meeting.