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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint emergency manager to council: Offer ideas but don't change budget's bottom line
Print Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on May 06, 2014 at 8:36 PM, updated May 06, 2014 at 8:37 PM
FLINT, MI -- Emergency manager Darnell Earley says his proposed budget isn't written in stone, but there is one thing he's not going to change.
"We have to end at this same point, dollar-wise," Earley told the Flint City Council during an opening budget hearing Tuesday, May 6. "Hopefully, the next time we do a budget, it will be more indicative of what happens under home rule."
Earley's two-year budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 includes a $55 million general fund in the first year and a $164.2 million spending plan for all city funds.
Tuesday's was the first of four council Finance Committee meetings scheduled to work through Earley's proposed budget, which has drawn initial fire from council members because of fresh proposed cuts in public safety.
The budget proposal would cut 36 police officers and 19 firefighter positions, and Earley has invited suggested changes from Mayor Dayne Walling and the council.
Other budget meetings are scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, May 8 (planning and development); 5 p.m. May 13 (public safety); and 4 p.m. May 15 (finance, administration and governance).
All of the meetings will be held in city council chambers, located on the third floor of City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St.
Tuesday's meeting covered funds related to the city's Department of Public Works, which includes streets, traffic control, water and sewer utilities, sanitation and facilities.
Walling said Earley pushed his staff "to come up with the minimum" needed to allow the city to function but council members said they may recommend even further cuts in some areas in order to restore police officers and firefighters.
"When we talk about laying off (police and fire employees), what they deem to be bare bones (in spending in other areas) may not be bare bones to me," said Ward 7 Councilwoman Monica Galloway.
Much of the budget discussion covered money from non-general fund areas such as funding from the state gasoline tax and vehicle registration fees. The use of those funds is restricted for a specific purpose such as street repairs.
Among the highlights in the Public Works Department areas of the budget:
Six positions are proposed to be added to the department's utilities division as the city's water treatment plant continues to process Flint River water throughout the fiscal year.
Street maintenance would be kept at current levels due to minimal increases in state funding. Earley's budget proposal says state financial support has been sought and obtained for some major street projects, in particular those related to economic development.
Responsibility for removal of dead and diseased trees on city property and in the street rights of way has been shifted to the department, which is "committed to attempting to secure assistance from other entities to increase capacity to address (the) problem," according to the budget plan.
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com 12 minutes ago
Even though emergency manager Darnell Earley has developed his proposed budget, it was Mayor Dayne Walling who took the lead on discussions with the City Council at Tuesday's committee meeting.
Walling said like council members, he's taking a line-by-line approach to the budget, but repeated his belief that "the cuts in public safety seem too deep."
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com 7 hours ago
Darnell Earley's budget report says the next several months will be focused on reorganizing the police and fire departments with the help of a consultant but it doesn't suggest a particular course of action such as a combined public safety department with some cross-trained personnel. "The next several months will be focused on mitigating the impact of (reductions in the departments) through reorganization with the assistance of consultants specialized in police and fire service; seeking additional funds; and obtaining assistance from law enforcement partners in order to achieve the best possible level of police response," the budget proposal says.
Ted Jankowski 18 hours ago
Why isn't anyone talking about the two extra millage's and the money from them that were earmarked for Public Safety. One was the former Community Policing Millage that was renamed something else and the other was the latest one that NEVER ONCE EVER PROMISED EVER HIRING ANY ADDITIONAL OFFICERS yet so some reason people seem to think that it was. Where are the reporters from the Flint Journal on this??? Why aren't we hearing about these numbers??? My memory could be fuzzy on the Community Policing Millage AKA renamed something else. Maybe that didn't pass. But if I recall correctly it did.
valtwin 16 hours ago
@Ted Jankowski It did pass and it's not your memory that is fuzzy. It's the Journals and their lack of accountability to their readers. |
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Wed May 07, 2014 5:09 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| It seems a lot of people want to know where the public safety millage went.[/img] |
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Wed May 14, 2014 4:35 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint City Council members say proceeds of pipeline sale should be used for police, firefighters and lower water rates
Print Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on May 14, 2014 at 7:40 PM, updated May 14, 2014 at 7:41 PM
FLINT, MI -- Emergency manager Darnell Earley plans to use proceeds from the sale of a 9-mile section of water pipeline for maintenance of the city's water system.
But he's also getting some friendly advice from City council members, some of whom would rather restore dozens of police and fire positions that are eliminated in a proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, and others who want some rate relief for water customers.
"If it's not restricted (how the money is used), I would like to see maybe $2 million go to public safety and the other half to stabilize water rates," said Councilman Bryant Nolden. "We have to do something to bring some relief to residents."
Earley's office issued a statement Wednesday, May 14, saying the section of water pipeline "will be sold" with the proceeds "earmarked for maintenance of the Flint water system as a designated reserve."
Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright said he's offering $3.9 million for the section of pipeline owned by the city, which starts at the county line and snakes 9 miles into the county's east side.
Wright said the purchase would save the county the expense of building a duplicate section of pipeline to service that area.
During a council budget hearing Tuesday, May 13, Deputy Finance Director Antonio Brown said proceeds from a sale would not restricted to use on the water system but said the emergency manager plans to use the revenue to help offset the cost of $8 million in upgrades to the city's water plant.
Councilman Sheldon Neeley said he wants a close examination of the sale and if it goes forward, funds dedicated to reducing the cost of water in Flint and toward retaining some of the 55 fire and police positions that are targeted for elimination in a proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Earley's spending plan for the city includes a recommended water and sewer rate increase of 6.5 percent in the coming fiscal year and 6 percent more in the following fiscal year.
Although the budget calls for eliminating 39 police and 19 firefighting positions, officials have said many if not all those reductions could be achieved through not filling positions of employees on sick leave or who will retire in the last eight months of this calendar year.
Fire Chief Dave Cox told council Tuesday that he can maintain five stations through a reorganization of what would be a 75-person department by sending three firefighters instead of four out on runs.
Police Chief James Tolbert says Flint might have to end its participation in FANG and cut back on other services if all the positions are eliminated.
Councilman Joshua Freeman said the investment in the city's water system might be warranted.
"It's an asset of the water fund," Freeman said of the pipeline. Without investing in the system, he said, "you're going to have to raise rates" later to keep it functioning.
Earley has not included revenues from the sale of the pipeline in the coming fiscal year because the sale is expected to be completed before July 1, Brown said.
The city paid for the $8 million in water plant upgrades by taking money from its water fund after officials determined selling bonds for the upgrades was not a viable option. |
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Thu May 15, 2014 7:26 am |
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00SL2
F L I N T O I D
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| It looks like Joshua Freeman continues to be the only one with prevailing common sense. That is, if Flint sells a water asset, the proceeds should go to the current water asset. |
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Thu May 15, 2014 8:35 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Governor sending eight more troopers to Flint; Snyder spokesman says city jail must stay open
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on May 27, 2014 at 4:00 PM, updated May 27, 2014 at 4:02 PM
FLINT- Eight more Michigan State Police troopers are headed to Flint as the city prepares to cut 36 police positions because of budget woes.
A spokesman for Gov. Rick Snyder said the number of state troopers in Flint will increase from 46 to 54 after the reinforcements are added next week.
"The Michigan State Police continues to support the city of Flint in its efforts to address crime," Snyder spokesman Dave Murray said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal. "The MSP will be increasing the number of troopers assigned to the Flint Post beginning June 1 with the addition of eight troopers, who are graduating from the 126th Trooper Recruit School on May 30."
Murray said the officers won't be on patrol immediately -- not until completing two phases of field training, which is expected to be finished by fall.
The additional troopers come as emergency manager Darnell Earley has proposed cutting 36 police positions from the city budget in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and the City Council have countered that planned cut with alternative recommendations, includes shifting at least some of $2.5 million in state funds that have been earmarked for operating the city lockup.
Murray said "it is imperative that the city of Flint jail remains open," but said the additional troopers show the state's commitment to reducing violent crime.
City Council President Scott Kincaid said the additional troopers will be welcome in the city but don't take away the need to retain Flint police officers.
"I think the combination has been effective at reducing crime. My concern is how long the state will keep the troopers in the city at the numbers they are now," Kincaid said.
If Earley stays with his plan to cut city police officers, nearly a third of the police officers left working in the city would be state troopers.
In an email to The Journal, Walling said the city needs all the assistance that's available.
"Every law enforcement officer going to work in Flint is an asset for our community so I welcome the assignment of all additional personnel," he said. "The purpose of the initial request for additional state funding and flexibility was to ensure that the maximum number of public safety personnel are on the street and these new assignments accomplish that goal."
Violent crime has been down nearly 25 percent this year compared to the same time period last year, and Kincaid he expects the improvement to grow even more through the end of the year.
"I think crime at the end of the year will be down about 40 percent," said Kincaid, who has praised police Chief James Tolbert's leadership during budget hearings this month. "I think we're on the right track addressing crime."
The number of MSP personnel in Flint includes 26 troopers and four sergeants in uniform patrol, four detective sergeants and nine troopers in a major crimes unit, and one sergeant and three troopers assigned to an area crime team, Murray said.
Councilman Wantwaz Davis said Flint needs more police but should remain focused on keeping the city's police force in tact.
"It's helpful but my focus is on our local police," Davis said. "Eventually, (MSP) are going to monopolize public safety."
Unless Earley's budget proposal is changed, the city would have total Police Department staffing of 115 in the new fiscal year. |
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Tue May 27, 2014 4:12 pm |
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