Impact on residents of massive drain replacement project in Mid-Michigan raises concerns for people around the state
LANSING, Mich. (June 25, 2026) — Today, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) introduced Senate Bills 1079–1082 to address recent constituent concerns and improve communication, transparency, and homeowner input on drain projects impacting individuals’ property.
“Michiganders have a right to know about large-scale projects happening in their community, especially when those projects will impact their own properties, bank accounts, and overall livelihood,” said Sen. Anthony. “I’ve been hearing from numerous constituents who’ve received unexpected and surprisingly high drain assessments in the mail — many totaling thousands of dollars — and are now scrambling to figure out how they’re going to foot the bill on top of the growing cost of everyday essentials. While these projects are important to address aging infrastructure, it’s just as important that residents have clear information and aren’t caught off guard by the process or the costs.”
A major drain replacement project in Sen. Anthony‘s district has raised resident concerns about notification and communication, property impact, and related increased costs. Sen. Anthony‘s legislation seeks to improve this process for residents of her district and other Michiganders around the state in future situations. It also builds upon a $5 million investment in the FY 2025 budget that helped ease this financial burden for Mid-Michigan residents.
“We must prioritize updating the drain code in order to reduce confusion around what it means to call and petition the drain commissioner; updates would also ensure the process of financing and updating drainage systems is more transparent and fairer to residents,” said state Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.). “Families and homeowners in Eaton County have already experienced the financially devastating impacts of receiving assessments for the reconstruction work on the Bank Intercounty Drain and all the other many drains in our district. I’ve had numerous calls and conversations with community members asking for help and clarification, and I am serious about ensuring these updates cross the finish line to bring that transparency to them.”
Specifically, Sen. Anthony‘s bills would:
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Update and modernize the current rules about how property owners are notified when a drain project is planned and how costs are communicated;
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Add a clear process for property owners to formally object if they believe they are being charged more than the benefit they receive from a drain project; and
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Cap interest rates that a local government may charge on drain tax installments.
The bills would also allow drain commissioners to establish a process for objections that are submitted; require home sellers to disclose if they have been notified of an upcoming drain assessment before selling the property; and include a 60‑day grace period to allow time to transition to the updated disclosure forms.
“As a local government leader, I know firsthand how important transparency and public engagement are to building trust with residents,” said Fonda J. Brewer, Delta Twp. Supervisor. “Senator Sarah Anthony’s legislation gives property owners more information, more opportunities to be heard, and greater confidence in the process when drain assessments impact their homes and businesses. These commonsense reforms modernize communication while maintaining the integrity of Michigan’s drain management system. I applaud Senator Anthony’s leadership in advancing legislation that puts residents first.”
These bills now head to the Senate Committee on Local Government for further consideration.
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