Over the past few years, I’ve often asked questions of John Scanlon, our City Finance Director, and he has always taken the time to explain parts of the budget to me. I recently asked him to review my budget posts. I saw John at yesterday’s City Commission meeting, and he pointed out an error in my BUDGET PART 2: Giving Citizens a Voice post from October 6.
In the Post I wrote:
“the City had formally exempted the Planning Commission from the responsibility outlined in Public Act 33 of 2008 (MCL 125.3865), which requires planning commissions to prepare and submit an annual CIP to the City Commission.”
It was not the City, but it was the Planning Commission which passed a resolution to exempt itself from the requirements of developing an annual Capital Improvements Plan and defer this responsibility to the City of Plymouth City Commission. John Provided me a copy of the resolution from 2008.
While the mechanism matters, the broader point remains: the exemption removed one of the few structured ways for residents to participate in setting spending priorities.
I put a lot of time into these posts, and my top priority is getting the facts right. I’m happy to correct the record when I get something wrong.
On a personal note, John will be leaving the City in a few days. He has been an outstanding resource for our community and consistently provided clear, understandable answers to my many questions. I will miss him and wish him the very best.
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