Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland Receives Positive Audit Report

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Receives Positive Audit Report

Westland, MI - Westland city officials received a positive audit report during the Council study session on January 23rd. Plante Moran auditors issued an unmodified opinion, the highest available, stating that the June 30, 2016 financial statements are fairly presented and accurately reflect the City's financial position.

The unassigned general fund balance has grown from $6.0 million in June of 2015 to over $6.4 million to end the fiscal year. The larger fund balance can be attributed to an increase in revenues, including a significant increase in federal grant funding related to SAFER and COPS grants which are funding additional positions and placing more police officers and fire fighters on the streets of Westland. The City also complied with the requirements issued by the State of Michigan and received $1.35 million under the State's revenue sharing program. Cost containment efforts have continued, with nearly all departments coming in under budget for the year.

The larger fund balance reflects that City finances are remaining stable and has added to its rainy day fund for unexpected emergency expenditures or unanticipated revenue shortfalls. It also reflects ongoing, incremental actions taken over the past several years to solidify the City's financial footing.

Auditors generally recommend maintaining an amount equal to 10-15 percent of expenditures in unassigned fund balance. As of June 30, 2016, the City of Westland has reached the 11 percent mark.

The audit report also showed a decrease in total outstanding bond debt of $2.7 million.

"During the 2015-16 fiscal year, the City was able to complete $1.7 million in renovations to the Police Department, put the new Inkster Road pump station into service, open the Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center for services in the Norwayne area, and undertake major capital improvements to the Mike Modano Ice Arena including construction of new locker and meeting rooms," commented Mayor Wild, "all while improving our fund balance position. We continue to look ahead in our financial forecasting and make fiscally responsible decisions for our City's residents and businesses."

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Western Wayne Fire Association firefighters collaboratively serving the Cities of Wayne and Westland are licensed paramedics who responded to over 13,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds if shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, on of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more that 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.