Study group suggests ways to cut
$340,000 from City's spending

The Grosse Pointe City Council heard from the Ad Hoc Citizens Budget Committee at its meeting Monday night (Feb. 22), suggesting numerous cost savings and expenditure reductions.

Speaking for the committee, Gary Bresnehan noted the significant decline in property tax and other revenues, and laid out a multi-pronged approach to bringing city costs and revenues in balance over the long term.

The committee said it does not support increasing taxes. However, due to the decline in the City’s tax base, a rate increase would be needed simply to maintain existing revenues. Bresnehan said the group is prepared to support a tax increase in future years to keep the City’s most valued, high-priority services.

Recommended expenditure reductions ranged from position eliminations and employee health care/benefit reductions to recreation/special event reductions and instituting curbside-only garbage pickup.

The committee recommended eliminating several full-time positions, such as assistant city manager, public works supervisor and recreation coordinator, which are vacant and budgeted but unfilled due to the hiring freeze imposed in 2009. This step would save an estimated $150,000 annually.

There were also suggestions that the City work with all of the Pointes to investigate a combined police department, shared court system and emergency dispatch operation.

Overall, the committee proposed $340,000 in estimated cuts and $273,000 in estimated revenue.  Suggestions were drawn from a survey in which about 25% of households participated.

“We need to maintain our current city services where they are – public safety, parks, recreation – which goes hand in hand with the value of our homes, our community, and the well-being of our residents,” said Bresnehan.

“If we have excellent services the values of our homes will be maintained accordingly,” Bresnehan said.

Mayor Dale Scrace said the committee's proposals will be addressed at budget meetings next week.

In other business, the council:

• Passed a motion for a new sign at the new coney café Drummy Dogs on 371 Fisher Road.
• Authorized a $21,000 software upgrade for the Parks and Recreation Department, which will feature online registration for residents interested in using the department’s facilities.
• Appointed a subcommittee to oversee the construction of window treatments at the new Kroger.  

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