LINDA KOEBERT APPOINTED TO CITY COMMISSION

KOEBERT ASSUMES CITY COMMISSION SEAT ON JANUARY 3, 2023

On December 14, 2022, the City Commission interviewed nine applicants to serve the remainder of Commissioner Ashlea Walter’s term through November 13, 2023 and appointed Linda Koebert. She will be sworn into office at the January 3, 2023 City Commission Meeting.

“We want to express our gratitude to the nine applicants who committed the time to go through the interview process. Stepping forward to serve your community takes courage and each of these individuals should be recognized for their willingness to do so,” stated City Clerk Benjamin Marentette.

Walter, who has served as a City Commissioner since 2019, was recently elected to the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners to represent District 3 at the November 8, 2022 General Election. She submitted her formal resignation and will continue serving on the City Commission through December 31, 2022. Walter will assume her seat on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners on January 1, 2023.

Those seeking interest were invited to submit a letter of interest, and resume, to the City Clerk, with such to be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Eleven individuals initially applied, with Vicki Armour and Amy Kolden removing their names prior to the interview. The nine individuals interviewed were as follows:

• Gretchen Carr
• Kenneth Funk
• Gary Howe
• Caroline Kennedy
• Linda Koebert
• Jason Lawrence
• Brian McGillivary
• Merek Roman
• Barb Willing

2022

SOLAR STUDY

At their December 12th Study Session, the City Commission heard a presentation on the updated Solar Study, from the City's administrator for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Jacob's.

The City is exploring opportunities to expand solar on City owned properties, including the rooftop of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The WWTP uses approximately 5,048 MWh of electricity annually, based on an analysis of monthly electric bills. The total cost is about $411,525 for a unit cost of $0.082/kWh. 2. The solar PV plant would produce about 510MWh per year of electricity which would be about 10% of the WWTP annual consumption.

The City is targeting funding with a Michigan Public Service Commission Low Carbon Infrastructure Enhancement & Development Grant. More information on the project will be presented to the City Commission on at their Monday, December 19, 2022 meeting.

UTILITY BILL SEPARATION

HOW TO READ YOUR NEW WATER & SEWER BILL

Going into effect with the December 2022 billing cycle, utility customers with the City of Traverse City will receive a water/sewer bill from the City and an electric and TCLPfiber (for those who have subscribed) bill from Traverse City Light & Power. The previous bill that contains all utilities on one, will become two. 

Both entities are upgrading to new utility billing systems with increased user-friendly customer portals and service offerings. The separation of the billing systems will create operational efficiencies and ease of the customer’s ability to read and understand their utility usage.

Customer Service Hours for In Person Payments

Payment by check for your water & sewer bill may be paid at the Governmental Center.

Due to current staffing shortages, customer service hours at the Treasurer's Office will be Monday - Friday, 10 am - 4pm through the end of 2022.

Drop Box

Pay anytime by check by utilizing the drop box at the Governmental Center.

Reminder: If utilizing the drop box to pay both bills, checks should be made out separately to each respective entity, i.e. City of Traverse City and Traverse City Light Power.

Payment by Mail

Payments will need to be separate and directed to each respective location.

Automatic Payment

Customers that currently are on the automatic payment program will continue.

Enroll for more Features and Email Notifications!

We encourage all customers to enroll in with the new payment gateway, InvoiceCloud, to better manage your account, maintain the most up-to-date payment information, online payment options, and view your utility usage. Options to go paperless and pay by text are available!

Customers with email addresses on file will now receive an invoice and/or payment processed notice from InvoiceCloud.

IN THE COMMUNITY

The Traverse City Fire Department participating in Toys for Tots at Immaculate Conception and Central Grade School!