“Modeling a three-year budget gives us time to realize changes and savings that we would not otherwise be able to see,” said City Manager Erik Tungate during last night’s budget presentation to City Council. The City’s Three-Year Budget includes the fiscal year 2018 to 2019, but also the projected budgets for fiscal years 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021.

“Although, not unlike many other local units of government, the City is faced with a number of challenges,” reports City Manager Tungate on the budget that provides a $3.9 million “rainy day” fund to guard against unforeseen circumstances. “These challenges include compounded healthcare cost increase, long-term liability costs, and a broken funding model for municipalities across the State of Michigan.”

In his presentation to Council, which can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel, City Manager Tungate overviews the current economic climate and constraints while covering the City’s cost-saving measures, progress in economic development, revenue gains from property taxes, and other measures the City will take to maintain the new budget.

“Based on the City’s financial policies, the Capital Improvement Plan, City Council goals, and my comprehensive review of operations, this balanced budget reflects a reasonable approach to meeting our most critical needs while continuing to position the City for long-term financial stability,” said City Manager Tungate. “I continue to work diligently with my team to lay a sustainable foundation for the future by finding operational cost savings and a lower overall tax rate.”

City Council unanimously approved the budget as presented.

The Mayor, City Council and City Manager wishes to thank the Finance Department for their efforts in creating the budget.

For a copy of the City's Budget for Fiscal Years 2018-2019, visithttp://bit.ly/OPAnnualBudget. To view City Manager Tungate's Presentation During City Council, visit http://bit.ly/OPBudgetPresentation.