News about the City of Muskegon, announcements and updates.

Audited Financial Report for 6/30/13 Fiscal Year Now Available

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The City of Muskegon Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 is now available online.

The CAFR summarizes the city’s financial activity for the year and includes the unqualified opinion of the City’s independent auditor – Brickley DeLong.

Highlights from the FY13 CAFR include:

  • The assets of the City of Muskegon exceeded its liabilities by $130,838,669 as of June 30, 2013. Of the City’s total net position, $21,791,371 (16.7%) was unrestricted and may be used to meet the City’s ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors.
  • The City’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balance of $13,656,058, an increase of $503,648 (3.8%) from the prior year.
  • The City’s General Fund reported a total fund balance of $7,353,558, an increase of $1,119,161 from the restated prior year balance of $6,234,397. The favorable increase is the result of sharply reduced costs due to position eliminations, tight budget controls and lower required contributions to fund legacy costs.
  • For the year ended June 30, General Fund revenues 2013 were $201,735 lower than the final amended budget estimate. This variance is due to lower than expected local income tax and interest revenues.
  • General Fund expenditures were $590,784 lower than projected in the final amended budget. Most city departments spent less than expected due to a combination of 1) tight budget controls, 2) conservative budget projections and, 3) cost savings realized from budget cuts made in the prior year.

You can view the FY13 CAFR by clicking here. You can view CAFR reports from prior years here.

2013 Citizen’s Guide to City Finances Available

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Click image to view the City’s 2013 Citizen’s Guide to Local Finances

The Michigan Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) sets specific requirements that local governments must meet to qualify to receive state revenue sharing funds. One of the key requirements of EVIP is that cities make readily available to the public by October 1st “a citizen’s guide and a performance dashboard of their local finances, including a recognition of their unfunded liabilities.”

This Citizen’s Guide is published in accordance with the requirements of EVIP. We have used the state-recommended reporting template in preparing the Guide. Because of the required time frame for submission, it is not possible to include audited financial data for the most recent fiscal year completed June 30, 2013. The City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which will be published at the end of October, includes full audited results for the June 30, 2013 fiscal year.

Also in accordance with EVIP, the City has published on its website a performance measurement dashboard that monitors performance trends in four key areas: Fiscal Stability, Economy, Quality of Life, and Public Safety. The City’s performance dashboard can be accessed here.

We hope that the Citizen’s Guide to Local Finances together with the City’s performance dashboard enhances the City’s transparency and public accountability.

If you have any questions or comments, you can leave them in the comment section below or email finance@shorelinecity.com.

Click Here to view the 2013 EVIP Citizens Guide

Free Legal Help for Michigan Residents

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MLH Muskegon Poster2

FY2013-14 Proposed Budget Available

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The budget for the City of Muskegon’s 2013-14 fiscal year (7/1/13 – 6/30/14) is now available for public inspection. The City’s financial situation remains very difficult, as it does for most Michigan government units. However, the City’s proposed budget maintains critical services at their current levels without increasing taxes.

Click to view City budget

Highlights:

  • There is no increase proposed in the City’s tax rate for general operations.
  • A 10% water rate increase is proposed.
  • Transportation services for the City’s senior citizens will be restored through a contractual arrangement with a private transportation company.
  • A new fire pumper truck is scheduled to be purchased replacing an older piece of equipment that is at the end of its useful life.
  • The proposed budget provides funding for 227 full-time positions: 108 police and fire positions and 119 other position categories including public works, clerical and administrative. As recently as 2003, the city had 309 full-time positions.
  • The proposed budget includes the full actuarial costs for funding pensions and other retirement benefits. This ensures that these costs are not pushed down the road for future generations to pay.
  • Income taxes and state shared revenue appear stable for now. Property taxes, however, have fallen with declining home values and a large number of tax appeals. The City is also confronted with the announced future closing of its largest tax-paying facility – the BC Cobb power plant.

The complete budget is available for review by clicking on the nearby image.

The budget will be discussed in detail at the City Commission work-session to be held Monday June 10th at 5:30PM. A public hearing on the budget will be held the following evening at the regular City commission meeting (Tuesday, June 11, 2012 also at 5:30 PM).

Under City ordinance, final adoption of the budget must occur no later than the second regularly scheduled June meeting (Tuesday, June 25, 2012, 5:30PM).

All meetings will be held in the 1st floor City Commission Chamber of City Hall. City Hall is located at 933 Terrace Street.

If you have questions concerning the budget, you can post them in a comment below or email them to: finance @ postman.org (leave spaces out).

2013 Budget Final

2012 Outstanding Citizenship Awards

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PRESS RELEASE
2012 OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

Congratulations to our three recipients of the 2012 Outstanding Citizenship Award – Bob Scolnik, Bonnie Witt, and Pastor Samuel Greer!

Bonnie Witt served as a special education teacher most of her life, is a current member of the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce, and has been the Beachwood-Bluffton Neighborhood Association President or Co-President for more than thirty years. Her passion and love for the community shows through the many activities/initiatives she has spearheaded in the neighborhood.

Bonnie has organized many teen dances, coordinated fundraisers to place a basketball court at the park, oversees the Winterfest at Beachwood Park, and created “Go Garbage Go” a neighborhood wide clean-up day. She also produces a neighborhood newsletter, coordinates the door-to-door delivery of the newsletter, and organizes the annual neighborhood picnic.

When the City eliminated recycling, Bonnie took it upon herself to lead a drive in the neighborhood to get residents of the neighborhood to sign for a self-paid subscription service and she continues to push recycling efforts throughout the neighborhood. This list represents only a small portion of what Bonnie has done for the Beachwood/Bluffton Neighborhood over the years and her dedication to the neighborhood and City are to be commended.

Pastor Samuel Greer has served as Pastor of the Queen Esther Baptist Church for the past 23 years as well as serving as President of the General Baptist State Convention of Michigan (consisting of 21 churches), and Dean of Students and Faculty member for the Muskegon Christian School System.

Pastor Greer is the Chair of the Social Justice Commission of Muskegon County that was formed in 2011. The Commission includes clergy, law enforcement, Prosecutor’s Office as well as the school systems and it was created to address the safety and health of our community with a special focus on our young people.

Under his leadership, the Commission has organized a gun buy back program as well as operation “Safe Days Quiet Nights” a program addressing truancy and curfew issues. The Commission created the “Good Buddy Bucks Program”. JAAR Partnerships (McDonald’s) partnered with the Commission to provide certificates for free apple dippers or ice cream. Certificates were provided to police officers to issue to youth who were found displaying good character. It provided the opportunity for positive mentoring contact between youth and police officers. In its first season approximately 2,000 certificates were issued.

Pastor Greer remains as enthusiastic today as he was when the Commission was first instituted. He is a caring individual who has a sincere desire to see a better, safer future for the entire Greater Muskegon Area.

Bob Scolnik is a County Commissioner, has served as Chairman and a major financial contributor of Visiting Nurses, lead donor for the Scolnik House of the Depression Era, past Campaign Chair for the new United Way Human Services Center on Clay Avenue, and serves on many other boards too numerous to list. He’s produced several fundraising concerts at the Frauenthal for various local non-profit organizations raising over $100,000 for United Way, the Red Cross, and the Child Abuse Council.

In 2012 Bob learned that the community would be without fireworks on the Fourth of July. He started a social media campaign to preserve the July 4th fireworks by rallying the community to raise the needed funding to arrange a spectacular show in less than six weeks time. His efforts did not go unnoticed as the Community Foundation offered a match up to $10,000. Bob also sought and received the assistance of other organizations such as the Fruitport and Muskegon Lions Club and the Muskegon Rotary.

Bob was driven to offer Muskegon a safe and spectacular fireworks display and he did not disappoint. He is a persistent individual who takes negatives and turns them into positives. He believes in Muskegon and the people of Muskegon.

Proclamation: School Spirit

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PROCLAMATION
SCHOOL SPIRIT
CITY OF MUSKEGON

WHEREAS, the City of Muskegon seeks to showcase and promote the traditions and school spirit that surround our community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Muskegon recognizes that the wearing of school colors symbolizes the enduring bond among all those whose lives, minds, and personal achievements have been influenced by the quality and spirit of their school; and

WHEREAS, our youth are our most precious resource, and we must encourage them to become strong, productive, and caring people; and

WHEREAS, Muskegon Area Schools are rooted in our history and tradition;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Muskegon Commissioners do hereby proclaim that the citizens and businesses of the City of Muskegon be encouraged to promote community pride by wearing high school colors and/or the school logo the first Friday of each month.

Witnessed this 26th day of March 2013.

1275 Allen Demolition and Site Clearance

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INVITATION FOR DEMOLITION AND SITE CLEARANCE BIDS
CITY OF MUSKEGON, PLANNING DEPT.

The City of Muskegon, Michigan will receive sealed bids until 2:00 PM on April 9, 2013 at the City Clerk’s office, City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan 49440 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud for the following demolition and site clearance projects: All structures located at 1275 Allen.

Copies of the contract documents may be obtained at the Planning Department at City Hall on the second floor room #202.

The project consists of demolishing all structures on the site(s), removing the debris to a licensed landfill and filling excavations in accordance with contract documents and city ordinance.

Bid proposals should be placed inside a 9” x 12 “ envelope addressed to the City of Muskegon with the title “Demolition Bid” and the address of each site on the outside of the envelope. Bidder’s name, address and phone number must be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope.

Hiring goals and percentages are set forth in the Contract Documents. No bid may be withdrawn within 60 days after the bid opening. All work must be completed within 30 days of the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

The City of Muskegon reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bidding.

City of Muskegon, MICHIGAN
Ann Cummings, City Clerk

Publish Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Account # 101-80387-5346

Public Notice to Maintain Vegetation on Property

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Pursuant to Section 98.35 of the City of Muskegon Code of Ordinances, persons owning property in the City of Muskegon are hereby notified that they are responsible for tall grass, noxious weeds and overgrowth on their property. Vegetation must not be taller than eight inches. Properties shall be maintained to ordinance standards or the City will 1) clean the property and bill the responsible party for the cleaning plus an administrative fee and/or 2) provide a civil infraction to the owner for a violation of a City Ordinance. This public notice, and one notification letter on the first offense will be the only formal notices sent advising property owners of their responsibility.

1500 Leahy Rehabilitation

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PUBLIC NOTICE
City of Muskegon
Invitation to Bid

The City of Muskegon Community and Neighborhood Services department is currently looking for
qualified licensed Residential Building contractors for the rehabilitation of the property located at 1500
Leahy Street.

This project is being financed with funds from MSHDA NSP. All projects are subject to Section 3
of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, which seeks to promote to the greatest possible
extent employment training and business opportunity for low/moderate income residents and small
businesses of the area.

The City of Muskegon, as well as the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), requires the selected contractor/developer to take all affirmative steps to assure that minority
firms, women businesses and labor surplus area firms are used when possible.

Proposal packets for the property will be available Monday, March 11, 2013, at 12:00 noon to
5:00 p.m. until Tuesday, March 20th, 2013, at Muskegon City Hall, CNS Office 2nd Floor, 933 Terrace
Street, Muskegon, MI. The completed proposal packets must be returned to the City Clerk’s
Office by no later than 2:00pm, on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at Muskegon City Hall. All
proposals must be returned on the specification form supplied by the CNS office and must be
completely and properly filled out. No electronically delivered proposals will be accepted. No
proposal packages will be given out after Tuesday, March 20, 2013 at 5:00 pm.

The contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not
discriminated against because of their race, religion, sex, weight or national origin.

REQUIRED BID INFORMATION

  •  Contractor must submit at least 3 references of former customers whose homes were built or rehabilitated by the contractor.
  •  Copy of current Michigan Builders License.
  •  Proof of Liability Insurance
  •  Proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance
  •  Copy of EPA Licenses
  •  Copy of EPA Certification

Bid proposals should be placed inside a 9” x 12” envelope, addressed to the City of Muskegon
Community and Neighborhood Services office with the title of the project address on the outside of
the envelope along with the bidders name. All qualified residential contractors are encouraged to
submit a bid.

The City of Muskegon reserves the right to accept and/or reject any, all or a portion of the
submitted proposal. For more information contact the CNS office at 231-724-6717. The City of
Muskegon is an equal opportunity employer and housing provider.
Oneata Bailey, Director, Community and Neighborhood Services

PUBLISH: March 10, 2013