by
Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr.
Detroit mayoral candidate Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. heads Triumph Church, which operates seven churches in Southeast Michigan and boasts 40,000 members. The two churches in Detroit collectively have a past-due water bill of nearly $30,000 from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and are currently on a payment plan.
Community and political activist Robert Davis, who shared with Deadline Detroit the billing information he obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, insists the past-due payments are relevant to the race.
"Rev. Solomon Kinloch has made the success and growth of his vibrant church the centerpiece of his mayoral campaign," he said. "Triumph Church's apparent inability to pay its utility bills owed to the city of Detroit is a bad reflection on Mr. Kinloch's ability to lead the multi-billion dollar corporation, known as the city of Detroit."
"If Mr. Kinloch cannot responsibly manage the finances of his growing church, how can he properly manage a city with a $3-billion budget?"
Davis denies any suggestion that he's working for or getting paid by a candidate.
"I am not working for any candidate. In fact, I am currently researching some issues regarding his opponent" Council President Mary Sheffield.
A spokesman for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department tells Deadline Detroit that the church is on the EasyPay plan, a program that allows residents, businesses, and nonprofits to pay off the back bills in installments over a 36-month period. He said the church is up to date on payments and is not delinquent.
The program, which began in July 2024, currently has about 35,000 accounts, most of which are residential.
Records show that Kinloch's Detroit church at 15801 Joy Road currently owes $19,784.51, and the church at 2760 E. Grand Blvd. owes $9,873.09.
Some of the larger outstanding bills date back to August 2024, when the Detroit churches collectively owed $65,000 in water bills.
Triumph Church Chief of Staff Ralph Godbee, the former Detroit police chief, tells Deadline Detroit that any suggestion that the payments are delinquent is disingenuous.
"The Detroit Water Department provides an affordability plan," he said. "Triumph Church, along with 35k residents, non-profits, commercial and industrial customers are on the same plan. The church is current on this plan."
"Pastor Kinloch understands firsthand the strain caused by soaring water costs and, as mayor, will put measures in place to help Detroiters address the burden of excessive fees—particularly those driven by the drainage tax.
"It is regrettable that a convicted felon and thief serving as a political operative of the Sheffield campaign, Robert Davis is engaging in this subterfuge to take the focus away from the institutional failures of the Council President to substantively reduce the burden placed on the citizens of Detroit by attempting to diminish the standing of Triumph Church; a church that has served this community in excellence for over 105 years.”
Davis responded to Godbee's remarks:
"With all due respect to former chief Godbee, his response on behalf of the Triumph Church reflects his lack of understanding of the relevant issues citizens of the city of Detroit face in this mayoral race. I pray Mr. Godbee will gain leadership and vision to assist Mr. Kinloch in their journey to stay financially solvent."
