The future is here, Lansing. Unless something major changes in how the city generates revenue, public safety services will be pinched, just like non-safety services have been for years.
Mayor Virg Bernero’s plan to close a $3 million gap (thank you, state lawmakers) is supposed to include $1 million in savings negotiated with police and fire unions. Meanwhile, the city’s non-union workers will take nine unpaid furlough days. Those moves, along with various other cutbacks, are supposed to get the city to the $3 million mark.
In theory, the City Council could reject Bernero’s plan and ask for another. But judging by the council comments in the LSJ this week, that’s not likely.
Recently re-elected at-large Councilman Brian Jeffries says he wants more long-term actions to save money. Fine, but the here and now is the here and now.
At-large Councilwoman Carol Wood did her usual routine, trying to look engaged without offering a specific counter-proposal. She told an LSJ reporter she didn’t know why the projections had worsened so much recently.
Really? Look around. The state shorted the cities on revenue sharing -- again. Property values are dropping. Sales tax and income tax collections aren’t what they were. What’s the surprise here?
I truly hope Jeffries tries to lead a sober discussion of structural reform in city finances. During the campaign, he was the only candidate willing to even broach the subject of tax changes. And the city’s immediate problem isn’t really out-of-control spending, but revenue.
If Jeffries were to forge a majority on the council to push some kind of tax revamp — in conjunction with major changes to city employee health benefits and, especially, city retiree benefits — I’d be ready to lead cheers for it.
