Detroit must reach milestones to get $30M, agreement dictates - KMSP-TV

By Amy Lange
Fox 2 News Reporter

DETROIT (WJBK) -- "It's not going to be easy, but we don't have an option," Mayor Dave Bing said about the latest agreement between Detroit and the state in the ongoing effort to achieve financial stability.

Even though emergency management was voted down, they're moving forward under the consent agreement, and the new milestone agreement will dictate how or else Detroit doesn't get millions of dollars from the state -- $10 million for November and $20 million for December.

"We still have 25 initiatives that we have to get done.  The bottom line is whether PA 4 had passed or not, we've got work to do and we've got to get it done," Bing said.

Problem is it's not happening fast enough.  State Treasurer Andy Dillon has said, "While some progress has been made in the city since the signing of the financial stability agreement in June, it is moving slower than what all parties would have anticipated.  There is still much work to be done."

So the city must review cashiering operations in at least five areas, including management, labor, unions and departmental restructuring, and council must approve several contracts.

"We need $10 million now, the $20 million in December or we could have some possible payless paydays, so we know the importance.  So now we have to get it done," said council member Andre Spivey.

But council president Charles Pugh said there will be no payless paydays.

"I want people to know that we have prepared for this.  We set the money aside.  Now it's just a matter of doing what the governor asked us to do so that we can get our money."

"I think the state has come to the table.  They want to be a partner.  We want them as a partner, but we've got to make sure that from a Detroit perspective we're all on the same page because it's not going to be easy," said Bing.

Click here to read the milestone agreement in its entirety.