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Politics & Government

Dearborn Budget, Parking Rate Increases Pass Unanimously

A three-hour budget adoption meeting on Tuesday ended with passage, but City Council members and residents warn that the discussion is not over.

The Dearborn City Council both the fiscal year 2011-12 budget and a measure to increase the city's paid parking rates Tuesday night–but not without much discussion and a promise of more debate still to come.

"I was not pleased with this budget," City Council President Tom Tafelski said bluntly following adoption, although he believed that overall, there was "excellent debate" on the issues.

That debate ran the gamut Tuesday night, from the usual questions about pools and library closures to a heated discussion brought up by councilman Robert Abraham about the budget of the .

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Budget Breakdown

The FY 2011-12 budget, as adopted, includes:

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  • and both and pools will close. The facilities will be "mothballed" and their operational costs cut from the budget year beginning July 1.
  • The city's will remain in place. The service is part of Dearborn's garbage millage; therefore, if the leaf program was cut, it would only lower that millage–not restore money to the general fund.
  • 42 city jobs will be cut through unfilled vacancies, facilities closures and other layoffs. 23 employees have also agreed to early-out offers.
  • $60,000 from the district court budget, as well as not filling a staffing vacancy at the court–an extra estimated savings of $45,000 annually.
  • The operating millage will increase by 1.38 mills to a charter-allowed maximum of 15, while the garbage and debt millages will be automatically adjusted. That brings the total 2011-12 millage rate up to 21.9 from 19.5 mills in 2010.
  • The Health Department will be .
  • The Department of Public Works is working toward , including grass cutting, street sweeping, leaf removal and janitorial services.
  • to 25 cents per 15 minutes for the first hour and 75 cents for each part of an hour thereafter. Sunday and holiday parking will remain free.
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