While awaiting the next step in Detroit's emergency financial management process, two knowledgeable guys play a round of Predict the Cuts (it's a thing . . . now).
Free Press reporters Matt Helms and Joe Guillen explore five spending areas that they see as the clearest targets for privatization or sale by whoever the governor names to manage city operations:
- Transportation (buses and People Mover)
- Public lighting
- Trash collection
- City Airport (Coleman A. Young International Airport)
- Salaries and staff for mayor, council
"It's possible council members could lose most or all of their staffs, in addition to significant pay cuts," the Freep writers predict.
They also note that state Treasurer Andy Dillon cites bus service and lighting as the largest drains on Detroit's general fund.
Combined, the two crucial public services devour $100 million in annual subsidies. Dillon said Detroit can no longer afford to fund them at current levels.
