DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Michigan (CBS DETROIT) – The city of Dearborn Heights says it is preparing for a possible closure if the City Council does not approve the 2024-2025 budget by June 30.
In an alert on the city’s website, officials say city services could close as of July 1. Michigan law requires the council to adopt a proposed budget no later than the first Monday in June and approve it before the start of the new fiscal year. However, Mayor Bill Bazzi says neither step has been completed.
Officials say this is the first time the city has seen a potential shutdown, as the council has rejected budget proposals since April.
“This includes virtually every service provided by the city. We are working to ensure that some level of our emergency services are maintained, but these will certainly be affected. Unfortunately, all city buildings will be closed,” Bazzi said in a statement. “There will be no trash collection, there will be no public works services, all youth and senior recreation programs will be canceled, the city’s telephone system, website, and cable television channel will be closed, and all workers’ compensation, along with their benefits employment conditions will be discontinued. will stop.”
According to the warning, Bazzi accused the board of demanding confidential employee information, including photocopies of W-2 forms, and rejecting the proposal because they felt it was too expensive.
He said the city council had submitted a summary of all payroll figures by department, but was accused of “withholding information by the council.”
Some council members are also accused of wanting to give salary increases to certain individuals.
“Unless our Council votes to approve our 2024-2025 budget this week, we are effectively bankrupt. I honestly regret having to take this action, but when I took office I vowed to do everything by the book. I have been the victim of multiple proposed budgets that have been rejected,” Bazzi said. “I will not tolerate the efforts of these rogue states to force us to continue to do business without a budget — which is illegal under state law — and then convince the public that the administration is breaking the law.”
The council will hold a special meeting at Dearborn Heights City Hall, 6045 Fenton St., on Friday at 6 p.m.
City council members did not respond to CBS News Detroit’s request for comment when this article was published. Bazzi also did not respond to a request for additional comment.
