Council approves City budget;
holds line on taxes, services

Grosse Pointe City residents can look forward to continued city services for another year and, in many cases, a reduction in taxes. 

“We are not raising taxes, not dipping into our (general) fund and keeping all our services,” said City Manager Peter Dame at Monday’s city council meeting.

The council unanimously passed the city’s $6.6-million 2009-10 budget, effective July 1. Last year’s budget was $7.2 million.

Dame added that because property values are down, up to 80 percent of city residents will get property tax cuts this year. The city is dealing with $500,000 less revenue due to the 20.7-percent drop in property values. The previous year, property values decreased 9.4 percent.

“It’s been challenging to balance things. Every department is spending less money,” he said. The cuts include reduced lobbying costs in Lansing and the reduction of some service hours at the pool and ice rink. The city manager no longer has a car allowance. The city is purchasing fuel at wholesale prices rather than retail. The number of part-time and seasonal employees has been reduced, and fewer trees will be replaced.

“Despite these changes, most people will see very little difference in their services,” Dame said. “We’re working with less to do just as much.”

He said the city would not raise business fees so companies struggling with the tough economic climate would get a break.
Fees for a few city services will rise. Among them is a $10 increase–from $30 to $40--in aquatic aerobics, adult aquatic lessons and diving lessons. Norbs swimmers will pay $60 instead of $40. Tennis lessons will cost $40 instead of $30.
About 80-90 percent of the activities offered by the city are remaining at the same price. “Our fees are (lower), on average, than other communities,” Dame said.

In other business, council members discussed amending the city’s noise ordinance to be more in keeping with the ordinance of Grosse Pointe Woods. Its ordinance allows mowing and construction equipment operations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. City Mayor Dale Scrace advised that the police department work with the city attorney to bring a proposed amendment to the next meeting.

The city’s residential inspection project, to check the exterior of every home in Grosse Pointe over the next three to four years, began this week.

The city’s marina has three empty 30-foot boat wells. “We’re doing better (with occupancy) than our neighboring communities,” Scrace said.

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