Judge signs order to cut Flint water rates, stop shut-offs

FLINT (AP) — A judge has finalized an order that would cut water rates in Flint by 35 percent and stop service disconnections for people with unpaid bills.

The Flint Journal reports Genesee Circuit Court Judge Archie Hayman signed the order Monday after making the decision Aug. 7. He said a 35 percent rate increase in 2011 was unlawful because it needed to be phased in, not immediately enforced.

City officials have said Hayman’s order could lead to bankruptcy for Flint, and city attorney Peter Bade says the city will file an appeal and seek a stay in the order.

Hayman says that he’s “not trying to run the city into bankruptcy,” but that he’s “making it follow the law.”