Finance and Taxes

East Lansing Council members Erik Altmann, Shanna Draheim, and Mark Meadows said that in hindsight the City should have advertised the eBay auction of the million-dollar public property on Merritt Road. But they think the taxpayers have gotten a great deal.

More billboards in East Lansing, more sorority houses, more alcohol sales downtown, more revenue for the City, more coffee near the Amtrak station, more rental licenses: all that plus the eBay land deal, depending on how the votes go. ELi brings you up to speed.

Responding to a reader's question, an investigation by ELi's Amalia Medina and Alice Dreger looks at what it takes for East Lansing restaurants to offer outdoor seating downtown. Spoiler alert: they would pay a lot less in Ann Arbor.

The opening of the new Center City parking garage on Albert Avenue was supposed to trigger the start of ground lease payments by the developer to the City of East Lansing. So where's the money? ELi's Alice Dreger reports.

The new East Lansing income tax is now projected to bring in about $1.4 million less than had been estimated pre-vote. So why did City Manager George Lahanas just declare the "great news" that "we are on track"? ELi's Alice Dreger explains the rhetoric and the reality.

Who is running for City Council? Is P.T. O'Malley's moving into the Menna's Joint space? What happened to the driveway drama? What's the latest with the eBay land sale? Answers to these ELI reader questions and others!

Right now and through the whole month of July, you can park for free for the first half-hour at gated garages and the Bailey lot in downtown East Lansing. ELi's Brad Minor explains the special program and brings feedback from downtown businesses and City leaders.

The City of East Lansing recently bought a 26-acre parcel. Now voters will be asked on the November ballot to agree to let Council sell all or part, as Council sees fit. ELi's Brad Minor and Alice Dreger report.

A big win for City Attorney Tom Yeadon last night at East Lansing's City Council, as a 3-2 majority approved a new $650,000 contract never released to the public. Who was interviewed, who voted which way, and why?

Developers say they want to minimize negative impact to neighbors with the Merritt Road project, which would include a Holiday Inn Express, a “high quality” marijuana operation, and a small strip mall. Dan Totzkay reports for ELi.

Transparency is nonpartisan: people of all political affiliations – unless they have a personal interest that disincentivizes them – want transparency from their governments. ELi Publisher Alice Dreger wonders if ELi should shift its reporting focus and just trust that City leaders are making good decisions?

ELi Publisher Alice Dreger explains not just the legal process but the basics of running for Council in East Lansing. Three four-year seats on Council will be on the November 5 ballot.

East Lansing's Income Tax Administrator DaMar Boyd is working to set up rules and regulations for the City's newest tax. Taxpayers will be able to donate refunds to one of three special City funds and have appeals heard by a review board. ELi's Andrew Graham reports.

The City of East Lansing may see some one-time, relatively large chunks of income this coming year, so City Council is talking about how to spend that revenue if it materializes. ELi's Dan Totzkay reports.