While public school officials are attempting to deal with pending state budget cuts, city and township officials say they are ready for Lansing’s axe.
The latest announced agreement between Governor Jennifer Granholm and legislative leaders includes a new 5 percent cut in state revenue sharing to cities, villages and townships.
‘Knowing the games they were playing, we budgeted very conservatively,? Independence Township Supervisor Dale Stuart said, and no immediate cuts in local services are anticipated.
The proposed cut would take approximately $135,000 from the township budget, which Stuart said depends on state revenue sharing for between 50 and 55 percent of its revenue.
The number may be misleading, however, as Stuart said the new cut would be on top of previous cuts in state aid. He estimates the total hit to the local coffers at more than 10 percent.
‘I strongly object to the state trying to solve their problems on the back of everyone else in the state,? Stuart said.
The Village of the City of Clarkston is not quite as dependent on state revenue sharing as a proportion of total revenues, and City Manager Art Pappas expects a decrease of $4,700 from a budget of about $90,000.
‘It’s a bite,? Pappas said, but ‘We’ll probably survive somehow.?
With a small city staff, Pappas said it would be tough to choose any services or staff to cut.
‘I’d be the first to go,? he quipped.
Springfield Township Supervisor Collin Walls said the anticipated loss of between $40,000 and $50,000 is no surprise to him.’It’s approximately what we anticipated and budgeted for,? Walls said.