Bing Crafts Consent Decree

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced Monday he had sent a draft of a consent decree to the City Council for review.

Bing crafted his consent decree as a counterproposal to one presented by Michigan last week.

That proposal, which featured a nine-member financial advisory board that would control the city’s finances, was rejected by the mayor and several council members.

Bing said in a statement that his counter-proposal “is designed to provide a reliable roadmap for the city and the state to collaborate in resolving the city’s short-term cash flow challenges and long-term structural changes.”

A draft copy of Bing’s agreement, which circulated last week, reduced the power of the financial advisory board and enhanced the mayor and City Council’s power.

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I have no problem accepting help from the state, and this agreement includes an advisory board that provides the state a vehicle to monitor the city’s progress,” Bing said. “This draft agreement also includes a mechanism to establish a budget and limit spending, while providing reporting obligations to the board.”

The mayor said his staff would meet with council staff over the next few days to complete a final draft.

Separately, Gov. Rick Snyder said he plans to hold a series of town hall meetings in Detroit to talk about the city’s financial situation and its future.

Snyder said last week that he would hold the meetings after March 24 to allow residents to weigh in on the proposed consent agreement.— Caitlin Devitt

School Takeovers Laid Out

Michigan’s newly created Educational Achievement Authority announced last week the first 15 schools that it would take over, starting next year.

It’s part of the authority’s plan to take over the worst-performing schools.

All of the schools that the authority will take over next year are in Detroit.

The facilities will all be run by the authority, charter school operators, or private entities, according to local reports.  

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