SaveMICity ambassador speaks to village of Elkton about need for reform

SaveMICity ambassador Monica Galloway visited the village of Elkton to discuss the broken system for funding municipalities, how that system affects the village and the importance of the SaveMICity initiative.

SaveMICity ambassadors around the state are working around the state to help communities understand the need for reform at a state level. Additionally, the League and the SaveMICity initiative are making an effort to help fix the state’s broken system by spreading the word that $8.6 billion has been diverted away from Michigan’s cities, villages and townships.

According to SaveMiCity’s revenue sharing tool, Elkton has lost $549,910 in revenue sharing cuts since 2002. 

The Huron Daily reports that Galloway, League member and Flint city councilwoman, told the village officials that,“The amount of revenue that your municipality has lost will cover your entire general fund balance for a whole year.”

Galloway also described the relationship the state has with its cities and why it’s the state’s responsibility to step up and help Michigan communities succeed. 

“The state, who is responsible for making sure that the municipalities can survive — the state is likened to a parent and the municipalities are their children,” said Galloway. “So it’s important that a parent do what they can to ensure that all of their children have what they need. And that’s where the state is failing.”

She urged Elkton officials to talk to their representatives about this issue and to ask about their stance on revenue sharing. 

Galloway added, “For the foreseeable future, the village will not receive the funding it is promised by law until significant changes are made at the state level.”

If you are interested in becoming a SaveMICity ambassador and spreading the word in your community, please contact us at savemicity@mml.org