Eastside business group holds open forum June 2

The Eastside Business Association meeting June 2 focused on the city of Flint's proposed budget for 2010-2011 and other challenges the city faces in the wake of a declining population.

While the 2010 census numbers are not yet available, the city is estimated to have about 90,000 people compared to the 2008 census of about 125,000.

According to a member the public budget hearing on May 27 was poorly attended, perhaps because it was scheduled too close to the holiday weekend. Copies of the proposed budget were distributed and comments flooded the floor.

"Reduce the number of councilman to five by dividing the city into four quadrants and electing one citywide representative," one member said. "Then hire a city manager and get rid of the mayor and his administration."

Members agreed changing the city's fiscal year to match the state's fiscal year would simplify the budgeting process.

One member detailed how the city could reduce its proposed budget by $1.6 million by cutting appropriations for city council, the mayor's office, human relations, purchasing, civil service, human resources and fringe benefits to union representatives.

David Caswell, a 40-year veteran of Flint School System, commented on the financial problems of the city's school system. He said student enrollment has declined from 26,000 to 11,600 in 10 years.

"We've lost half of our student population," he said. "More schools need to be closed. We need to downsize now instead of living in a constant state of turmoil," he said.

One member suggested raising the sales tax in order to fund the state's deficit.

"We're funding more people in prison than in our public universities," another member commented.

The Eastside Business Association will hold a business breakfast at 8:30 a.m. June 16 at the Sarvis Food and Conference Center to recognize businesses that have helped shape the community.

The June 30 meeting will be held at noon at the Avondale Cemetery to recognize veterans.