Officials Talk About Challenging, Hopeful Times

At today's State of the Cities breakfast, (FPS) Board President Howard Wallach put the school district's financial dilemma into terms any business person could understand.

"Imagine... a business where you made no product for sale, so you had no control over your revenues, a business where you delivered a service which you could not charge a fee for, a business where government not only controlled how much money you received to operate your business, but also exerted complete control over your largest individual expense ... welcome to public education in Michigan, circa 2011," he said.

Wallach was one of three speakers at the representing local government; Mayor Tom Buck spoke on behalf of the and Mayor Jerry Ellis delivered his final State of the Cities address as Mayor of . Ellis is term-limited and has said he will retire from public service at the end of this year.

The sponsors the annual event to give residents and business leaders an opportunity to hear more from their elected officials, chamber executive director Mary Engelman said. She believes the turn-out of more than 160 guests is an indication that people want more information.

"This reaffirms that this is such an important event for our community," Engelman said.

Wallach recapped the district's financial challenges, including skyrocketing benefit costs and the impact of an expected proposal that would move all of education, preschool through college, into the current K-12 state aid fund. If that happens, Wallach said, the district could lose more than $1,000 per pupil.

Since 1994, the cost of living has increased 37 percent, he said, while the district's per pupil allocation has gone up only 19 percent.

"Before we open our doors, we're 18 percent behind the eight-ball," Wallach said.

Rather than "retreat to a cocoon", the district has chosen to "move forward with new and innovative education programs," he added. "We know that this community expects an exemplary education for our children."

Wallach recounted many achievements; among them, recognition in Expansion Management magazine as a gold medal school district, placing FPS among the top 16 percent of districts nation-wide. "This means that our school district is highly rated as a place for businesses to locate and their families to send their children to for their education," he said.

Buck recapped "exciting progress" in Farmington's downtown business district, noting high attendance at events and the popularity of the new streetscape. With an exceptionally large smile, he announced the city's purchase of a new fire truck, as the result of a federal grant.

Representatives from both cities and the school district, Buck said, have been meeting to brainstorm ideas for collaboration and cost savings. He commented on the positive attitude and strength of the city's neighborhoods, with healthy, safe families growing up together "in a community full of life."

"Between us, we can create the jobs, we can serve, we can share ideas, we can help those who need it, we can recruit residents to fill our homes, we can recruit businesses to fill our commercial sites," Buck said. "We have far too many good things going on to let bad things carry the day."

As did Buck and Wallach, Ellis noted the hard work of employees who have been tasked with more duties and fewer resources. "I think you already know there are a lot of shirtsleeves rolled up every day in Farmington Hills," he said.

Still, this year, Hills officials may be faced with raising taxes, which have remained steady since 1999, enacting furlough days for employees or reducing services to balance its budget, Ellis said.

"The city council and city administration will do what's required to keep Farmington Hills a desirable place to live and do business," he said. "That means everything is on the table this year for review and scrutiny."

Still, Ellis said Farmington Hills is in a stronger position than most cities and still has a high bond rating.

"We are not in this sound financial shape through luck," he said. "It is through foresight determination and hard work," he said.