FLINT, MI -- A recent notice to potentially sue the state is only a move to "protect the future interest of the city," says Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.
Weaver issued a April 1 statement saying she filed a "Notice of Intention to File Claim" so that if needed, the city will be able to sue the state in the future. Right now, there are no plans to sue Michigan and Weaver is still working with local, state and federal agencies to help find solutions for Flint's water crisis.
"As Mayor of Flint, I have every intention of continuing my efforts to work with Gov. Rick Snyder and other state officials to seek resolution in all aspects of the Flint water crisis," Weaver said. "I have no intention at this point of having the City of Flint sue the state.
Weaver filed the notice of intent to sue in a March 24 filing with the Court of Claims, which oversees claims made against the state and its agencies. The letter names the State of Michigan, the DEQ and four DEQ employees as defendants.
In a letter Weaver submitted with her intent to sue, the mayor says the city relied on DEQ employees including Mike Prysby, Steve Busch, Adam Rosenthal and Pat Cook to verify that city water after the switch would be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The city had until March 25 to the file the notice. If that deadline had been missed, Weaver said the city would have forfeited its right to file a future lawsuit.
"As the elected leader of Flint, I needed to preserve the city's right to pursue a legal remedy if it is determined a lawsuit is necessary in the future."
Weaver included a number of damages including lowered property values, reduced rates for provision services, damage to the city's municipal water system and emergency response costs.
Snyder spokesperson Ari Adler said the notice of intent came as a surprise to the governor's office.
"Our office received this notice rather unexpectedly," Adler said in an earlier MLive.com interview. "The Mayor's Office did not tell the Governor's Office this was going to be happening, even though key members of the Snyder Administration talk daily with key members of the Weaver Administration."
Weaver said she has talked to Snyder and confirmed the state is still working on solutions with the city.
"It is my expectation that we can continue working with the state to help Flint recover from this water crisis. I called Governor Snyder today to re-affirm our commitment to work together for the benefit of the families of Flint."
MLive.com staff writer Emily Lawler contributed to this article.