City Council has approved an application to waive the “underfunded status” of the City's pension system. Will the State Treasurer grant the waiver, or become more involved in overseeing East Lansing's pension systems? ELi's Chris Root reports.
Council Member Ruth Beier said at Tuesday evening’s meeting that East Lansing is headed for bankruptcy if new sources of revenue are not secured soon. ELi's Chris Root reports.
Even if East Lansing officials approve the new site plan coming for the Park District, the project could still hit the same vein of fatal problems it did last time around. ELi's Alice Dreger explains.
As it faces a financial crisis, East Lansing's government is paying consultants almost $20,000 to gather citizens’ ideas about where the City might cut its budget and obtain new revenues. ELi's Alice Dreger reports.
The City needs to bring East Lansing up to speed on information technology (IT) staffing levels, to adopt an Open Data policy, and to stop accumulating “technological debt" according to a citizens' panel. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.
The Bailey Community Association has been working with City staff to design a new plan for Bailey Park. Now they are working on getting funding in place. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.
HUD has determined that East Lansing must repay HUD $134,330 in grant funds because the project funded included a conflict of interest involving City Attorney Tom Yeadon. The total bill to East Lansing taxpayers could reach $200,000. ELi's Alice Dreger reports.
Responding to a report published by ELi, on Tuesday City Council discussed continuing to allow City employees to invest their own money in the East Lansing pension system through Council-approved purchases of “pension service credits.”
East Lansing has been notified by the Michigan Treasury Department that the City’s public employee pension plan "has triggered a preliminary review of underfunded status" by the State. ELi's Chris Root reports.
City Council has begun digging into various tax options as it tries to manage East Lansing's financial problems. Citizens have been weighing in with their thoughts, too. ELi's Chris Root reports.
ELi finds that East Lansing has now spent $200,000 fighting a lawsuit brought by City workers alleging that they “were intentionally and unnecessarily exposed to mercury and asbestos” at the wastewater treatment plant. ELi's Alice Dreger reports.
East Lansing's City Council will hold a public hearing on five draft tax proposals this Tuesday night. ELi's Chris Root explains why Council is considering these proposals, what the process will be, and how you can participate.
Given East Lansing's pension obligations, even if City Council authorizes major cuts in personnel and services, the City's fund balance will soon sink to levels “at which the State would be concerned.” ELi's Alice Dreger and Chris Root report.
East Lansing's government now publicly admits violating federal conflict-of-interest rules in a matter involving the City Attorney. But it is still resisting releasing related government communications. ELi's Alice Dreger reports.
The Hannah Community Center is on the list of possible budget cuts for Council's consideration. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports on the history of the center, what it provides and costs, and what closing it would mean.
