By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK – A request for a four-day extension for the city’s budget has been denied.
City Administrator David Tamsen said Thursday that a request from City Attorney Todd Flood Wednesday to State Treasurer Andy Dillon for an extension that would allow the city to post the budget for ten days prior to its adoption, as required by its charter, was denied.
“The state can’t do it,” Tamsen said.
A budget hearing was scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and the budget was to be adopted that day, the state deadline.
The resolution regarding the request was introduced by Councilman James Flynn at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’ve been troubled with this since voting for the budget hearing to be on July 1st,” Flynn said, “as it does exist outside our charter. The real issue is that it pits state law against our charter.”
A balanced draft budget is available in the city clerk’s office. To close a projected $2 million budget deficit, the city could lay off up to 22 workers by the end of the week.
Rumors had swirled regarding the possible closing of Allen Park Community Center and dissolution of the Downtown Development Authority as a way to close the budget gap. At Tuesday’s meeting, officials said both options were off the table. Tamsen did stress, however, that all programs held at the community center must cover their costs.
At the meeting the council also approved drafting ballot language for November for two millages, one to fund public safety, including the fire and police departments, for which layoff notices were issued and rescinded earlier this year. The other bond issue would cover bond payments for the failed Allen park Studio Center property, which the city purchased in 2008.
Ballot language, including millage rates, will be submitted at the next City Council meeting.