Huntington Woods City Manager Presents Budget Proposal

The Huntington Woods City Commission met Tuesday night at . City Manager Alex Allie presented the proposed 2011-2012 budget during a study session after the commissioners heard public comments, considered a Scleroderma Foundation Run/Walk request and addressed the appeal of a partial denial of a Freedom of Information Act request.

Budget Study Session

Allie presented the commissioners with the proposed 2011-2012 budget, which was titled The Rain Continues, riffing off a previous budget report called The Perfect Storm. "The good news is, the budget is balanced," Allie said. "The bad news is, it was with great difficulty and with cuts."

While revenues are projected to decline through 2012-2013, the rainy day fund remains funded above 15 percent and property values appear to have bottomed out in 2010, Allie said. "The bottom line is a relatively flat budget for the next three years," he said.

The city also is well positioned to meet the criteria required to collect the $74,000 in statutory revenue sharing for which it could be eligible, according to Allie. However, barring other measures, the city may have to use $62,714 of its fund equity to balance the budget. "To not leave you totally depressed," Allie concluded, "I think the worst is over. I think we have survived."

The city will hold another study session April 26 and a public hearing May 3. Stay tuned to Berkley Patch for more details about the proposal.

Public Comments

Berkley resident Alan Kideckel told the commission about a new event that will be part of the annual Berkley Days celebration on May 12. Taste of Berkley, which will run 6-9 p.m., will feature food from local restaurants.  Tickets will cost $25 and all proceeds will go to Berkley-Huntington Woods Youth Assistance, which works to help at-risk youths in the .

Huntington Woods resident James Campbell urged the commission to pass a resolution in opposition of  redistricting the 12th Congressional District following the release of 2010 U.S. Census data and expressed concerned about losing federal influence if a representative is lost. "Oakland County did not empty out over the past decade. Huntington Woods did not empty out over the past decade," he said. "This is a Wayne County issue."

Run/Walk Route Altered

The City Commission approved the 32nd Annual Scleroderma Run/Walk beginning at 8 a.m. June 26. However, Allie noted the route will be different than usual due to road construction. The route still will begin at the zoo, but will bypass work on Huntington Road. Impacted residents will receive notification.

Freedom of Information Request

The commission passed a motion to extend by two days the deadline to respond to the appeal of a partial denial of a Freedom of Information request. City Attorney John Carlson said he handled the request on behalf of Allie, who is the FOIA request point person for Huntington Woods. Carlson said he issued the partial denial because the request – for all of Allie's e-mail correspondence – was too vague. The city has 10 business days to respond to the appeal; the commissioners voted to extend that time period by two days so they could address the issue at their April 26 meeting and have two days to ensure the response was received after that.