Attorney General announced order to return illegal pay
Attorney General Mike Cox has announced that members of the Flint City Council must return to the city treasury more than $235,000 in illegal pay raises they granted themselves in 2004. On Wednesday, an Ingham County Circuit Court judge declared the raises violated the Michigan Constitution.
"I applaud this victory on behalf of Flint’s residents who have persevered through difficult financial times," said Cox. "The City of Flint deserves responsible management to keep the city moving in the right direction," said Cox.
In July of 2002, the State appointed an Emergency Financial Manager, Ed Kurtz, to address the City of Flint’s financial crisis, which included more than $20 million in debt. As part of his plan to return the city to financial stability, Kurtz reduced the pay for City Council members. However, once the situation stabilized, Kurtz reinstated members’ pay to 95% of pre-emergency levels.
Kurtz’s tenure ended on June 30, 2004. Less than 24 hours later, on July 1, the City Council voted 7-0 to grant themselves more than $235,000 in retroactive pay and benefits. Referred to the Attorney General’s Office by Senator Bob Emerson (D-Flint), Cox filed suit on August 9, 2004.
Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk agreed with Cox that the City Council’s actions violated Article 11, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution, which bars retroactive pay raises by elected officials.
"I applaud this victory on behalf of Flint’s residents who have persevered through difficult financial times," said Cox. "The City of Flint deserves responsible management to keep the city moving in the right direction," said Cox.
In July of 2002, the State appointed an Emergency Financial Manager, Ed Kurtz, to address the City of Flint’s financial crisis, which included more than $20 million in debt. As part of his plan to return the city to financial stability, Kurtz reduced the pay for City Council members. However, once the situation stabilized, Kurtz reinstated members’ pay to 95% of pre-emergency levels.
Kurtz’s tenure ended on June 30, 2004. Less than 24 hours later, on July 1, the City Council voted 7-0 to grant themselves more than $235,000 in retroactive pay and benefits. Referred to the Attorney General’s Office by Senator Bob Emerson (D-Flint), Cox filed suit on August 9, 2004.
Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk agreed with Cox that the City Council’s actions violated Article 11, Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution, which bars retroactive pay raises by elected officials.
posted by Hugh Harris-Evans at 9:53 AM
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