Westland, MI - Mayor William R. Wild has presented City Council with the first ever three year balanced budget at a study session last night. The Mayor's 2014-15 fiscal year budget of $58,645,289 projects a $5.6 million fund balance by June 30, 2015, and while drawing upon this savings in coming years, by June 2017, the City would continue to have $4.3 million in fund balance.

"As the budget process moves forward, our goal is not to use any fund balance;" stated Mayor Wild. "We will work to address operational needs through increased revenues or generating cost efficiencies;" Wild continued.

The budgets anticipate an increase in property tax revenue in the Act 345 millage along with continued receipt of State Economic Vitality Incentive Program funding and a nominal increase in State Constitutional revenue sharing. The Mayor, City Clerk, Department Directors, AFSCME Local 1602 employees and non-union Court employees will continue to contribute toward their healthcare and pensions.

Staff changes include the hiring of a Parks & Recreation Director, instituting a park ranger program, hiring a part-time Court security officer and recalling from layoff two DPS employees with six of the 11 on layoff in 2010 being recalled back to work. The budget reflects three additional part time ordinance officers who will be cross trained to handle animal control duties and funding to fill the Public Service Director position.

The City continues to anticipate the shared dispatch arrangement with the cities of Inkster, Garden City and Wayne. It is expected that Inkster, Wayne and Westland will continue to contract a shared fire chief.

The budget also includes funding for a new fire rescue unit, 20 new police vehicles and $50,000 for energy upgrades in City buildings.