Allen Park discussing asking for a review that could lead to an Emergency Manager

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) – With the city facing serious financial problems, Allen Park’s leaders are considering an Emergency Manager.

During a Tuesday City Council meeting members voted to have the City Attorney, Finance Director and Administrator create a letter requesting that the Michigan Department of Treasury send in a preliminary review team.

A final [...]

ALLEN PARK: City’s bond rating decreased by Standard & Poor’s

ALLEN PARK — Standard & Poor’s announced late Tuesday that the city’s bond rating is downgraded from BB+ to B.

A report from the financial services company says that uncertainty on how the city will acquire funds necessary to meet its financial obligations for fiscal year 2012 is one of the key reasons for the [...]

ALLEN PARK: Police decline concessions, willing to meet with city

ALLEN PARK — Last week the firefighters union agreed to conditional wage and benefit concessions, but the police department has declined to do the same.

In a letter dated Feb. 27 from both the Allen Park Lieutenants and Sergeants Association and the Allen Park Police Officer’s Association the groups refused city requested concessions.

The unions [...]

Allen Park council will put controversial millage on May ballot

Voters in Allen Park will vote on a controversial 4-mill tax in May after the city council voted Tuesday night to put the issue on the ballot in an effort to balance the community’s budget.

The millage is part of the city’s ongoing effort to pay off bonds issued in a failed effort to develop [...]

Allen Park holding special council meeting as city deals with mounting financial problems

ALLEN PARK, Mich. WXYZ – As the city faces increasingly dire financial circumstances, a special Allen Park City Council meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

The meeting is in place of the normal City Council meeting which was set for February 28. It also comes a week after the council failed to [...]

ALLEN PARK: City to spend grant money on seniors, street curbs

ALLEN PARK — Most of the city’s federal block grant funds will be spent on programs to assist seniors and the disabled.

The City Council approved the disbursement of about $111,000 Tuesday for the coming year, and nearly $100,000 will be spent providing home health care and improving street curbs.

The city will spend $72,000 [...]

City asking employees for concessions, debate asking voters for millage

ALLEN PARK — The city wants wage and benefit concessions from its police and fire unions and has engaged in a standoff with the groups that could end with the appointment of a state emergency financial manager.

In a letter sent Wednesday to bargaining groups for 61 police officers and firefighters, Mayor William Matakas, speaking [...]