Lowell’s city council gathered for a regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, with all members present. For the first order of business, City Manager Mike Burns presented a water and sewer rate survey he prepared, showing Lowell’s quarterly rate compared to those of 68 other Michigan communities.
Aside from a clarification that comparing water systems across different communities is like comparing apples to oranges because of different population numbers and treatment types, Burns did not draw many conclusions, and it was an informational item only, so the council did not vote. “We’re not the highest. We’re not the lowest,” Burns said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to keep cost down.”
Assistant City Manager Rich LaBombard made a request to create an equipment-maintenance mechanic staff position. Technically, the city would be renewing the position; Ralph Brecken was the city’s previous in-house mechanic, but when he became utilities supervisor, the city never filled his old position.
LaBombard explained that an in-house mechanic, with all of the extra expenses associated with a benefits package, would cost approximately the same as the city currently pays for a contracted mechanic, and the role would have increased capacity for emergency repairs and maintenance…