Battle Continues Over Detroit's Budget
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit city council and Mayor Dave Bing are still far apart when it comes to the city's budget. And as WWJ's City Beat reporter Vickie Thomas reports, the verbal volleys are flying just one day ahead of an important vote.
With the June 30 deadline looming, the City Council must decided whether or not it will restore additional cuts it made to Mayor Dave Bing's budget.
"The Council president has put the vote for Friday and so that's when we're going to find out in terms of where people come down," Chief Operating Officer Chris Brown said.
"But, I think we're doing a good job of trying to tell our story, making sure the people realize there are issues that are going to be outstanding and you can't, you know, we're saying there's consequences to those cuts... but I think people are pretty responsive right now," he continued.
The mayor has found $36 million to help offset some of those cuts and, with the help of a DTE escrow account, Brown said $20 million of that just became accessible.
"The $20 million actually hit bank accounts and the money has been released. So, you know, I think that we're in that mentality of 'prove it to me,' and so we've proved that," Brown said.
He believes both sides will reach a deal, even though some council members are digging in.
"Obviously, you have some people that want to stay with their positions, but I think that we've put some constructive things on the table and so have they," Brown said.
