City of Zeeland Budget

Last night we finished up a two night overview of the City of Zeeland  2011 / 2012 budget. While not the most exciting of sessions, they were no less important. What was evident over that last two nights was Federal and State influences on our budget  This year the Governors office has laid out specific proposed legislation that City's, Townships, Villages will have to follow in order to obtain state revenue sharing, a direct impact to their general funds. Units of government will have a check list to meet if they wish to receive Revenue Sharing. 

• Accountability and transparency performance dashboard October 1, 2011
• Develop plans for Consolidation and collaboration January 1,2012
• Address employee compensation

Other influences we saw were things like the FCC narrow banding project forcing city's all over the country to buy new radios for police fire and municipalities. Tools like the Brownfield Credits that are used for  economic and environmental development are proposed to go away. We may see rules for City employee Healthcare requirements, pension rules, Green power (a whole topic by itself).

All that said. They City of Zeeland is financially sound and will be able to meet the pending proposed legislation requirements, thanks to sound planning over the last few years. Over the next several weeks we will refine our budget, propose a mileage rate ( no increase is proposed) and then a vote to pass the budget. 

Be Safe