The year ahead will be a challenging one
This week is part two of our annual “Year in Review.”
There was plenty of good news that happened in 2018 – the partnership between the school district and the city, coming improvements at Keyworth Stadium and the historic Hamtramck baseball stadium, and the relatively good health of finances in the city and the public schools.
But there is plenty of unfinished business.
The school district’s superintendent is retiring at the end of the school year, and the search for a replacement won’t be easy.
For the city, although there is a budget surplus, there will be a major impact if GM goes through and shuts down production at its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.
That plant produces about $800,000 a year for the city. With a budget of only $16 million, that is a large chunk of change. On top of that, we only have a year left in a federal grant that has been paying for the salaries of firefighters.
City officials have some serious work ahead of them. The choices of where to make cuts are few, which will require some politically unpopular decisions to be made.
But overall, Hamtramck is doing well. We continue to attract young business owners who are opening unique, one-of-a-kind types of services.
Our housing values are once again attracting top dollar, making Hamtramck an attractive investment opportunity.
We expect 2019 will continue to bring additional success. Happy New Year readers!
2 Responses to The year ahead will be a challenging one
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Fatema Hossain
January 5, 2019 at 1:09 pm
What about the continued rancor on City Council?
I am stunned that there was no news coverage of the altercation at City Hall between two councilmen shortly after a closed session of City Council the last time the council met in December to discuss ongoing union negotiations. This incident has sent shock waves through the community.
We cannot operate this city effectively where members of City Council lack civility toward each other. Adverse conduct such as was displayed immediately following the last City Council session should be exposed and criticized.
John Dory
January 5, 2019 at 3:14 pm
A question I have is how will a possible General Motors shutdown affect the revenue stream the City of Hamtramck receives from that corporation?
It is my understanding that the City Treasurer has an agreement with GM that supersedes the normal property tax assessment process.
Obviously, the real estate is still there as well as the personal property and that the GM Hamtramck Assembly property has some value no matter who owns it and regardless if the plant is actively in production mode.
The city needs the explain the specifics to the public so they can understand.