Press Release | Office of the Mayor | City of Westland Adopts 2018-19 FY Balanced Budget

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

City of Westland Adopts 2018-19 FY Balanced Budget

Westland, MI - The Westland City Council has unanimously adopted a balanced 2018-19 fiscal year budget of $66.9 million. The budget includes no increases in millage rates and adds to the city's rainy day fund which now sits at over $7.3 million.

"While the budget is conservative, it does include funding for infrastructure improvements to roads and water and sewer mains as well as capital investments for parking lot improvements and building renovations at the Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center, a new roof for Fire Station 4, lobby improvements to the Mike Modano Ice Arena and various improvements at the Friendship Senior Center," remarked Mayor William R. Wild.

Key elements of the budget include:

Fire Department
- Three fire fighters who will be coming off of federal grants, provisions for an increase in overtime allowance to help maintain critical coverage and a new EMS unit.
Police Department
- Four police officers who will be coming off of federal grants, four additional dispatchers for the City's 911 center of which the cost will be spread over the four communities in the joint dispatch, funding for body cameras for all patrolmen, three new police vehicles, radios, and bulletproof vests.
Department of Public Service
- The vehicle fleet will be upgraded with the replacement of the city's 1999 Versa Lift tree trimming truck.

"My administration has worked very closely with City Council in developing this year's budget and I am proud to bring forth my 12th consecutive balanced budget as Mayor. We are continuing to make fiscally responsible decisions that improve quality of life for residents and provide high quality municipal services, while remaining mindful of legacy costs and other financial challenges facing the City in the not too distant future," commented Mayor William R. Wild.

To address its unfunded pension liability, City Council approved an additional $300,000 contribution into the MERS pension plan for general employees.

You can view the entire approved 2018-19 Fiscal Year Budget on www.cityofwestland.com

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 Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 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 of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 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.