Finance and Taxes

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.

The City of East Lansing recently bought a 26-acre parcel. Now voters are likely to 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.

The deer population, free parking downtown, senior housing, the Valley Court Community Center, that eBay land sale, an Income Tax Board of Review, a possible move by P.T. O’Malley’s, and more. It’s gonna be a busy week for East Lansing's government.

Looming large at the corner of Bogue Street and Grand River Avenue, "The Hub on Campus" is attracting plenty of attention from potential occupants. ELi's Brad Minor reports that developers expect all apartments to be rented by the beginning of the fall semester.

Newly released documents show East Lansing is paying far more in legal fees than Michigan cities of similar size. What else have we learned as City Council looks at possibly changing who serves as the City Attorney?

Groundbreaking ceremonies at Whitehills and Pinecrest elementary schools generated plenty of afternoon excitement in anticipation of new building construction at both sites. ELi's Mark Meyer was on hand for both celebrations, amid flying sand and waving yellow plastic hard hats.

A lawsuit against the City of East Lansing by a farmers’ market vendor has cost East Lansing taxpayers over $182,000 in legal bills, and the case is potentially far from over. ELi's Alice Dreger reports on the case garnering national attention.

East Lansing's Council is set to expand the City Manager’s ability to enter into contracts without prior consent from Council. The result of the policy could be less transparency where City contracts are concerned. ELi's Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger report.

Why would the City of East Lansing suddenly offer the whistleblower it fired a new job? And what is the job? ELi's Alice Dreger reports on the latest in the case.

Remember that million-dollar property the City of East Lansing put up for bid on eBay, notifying only “approximately twelve interested parties”? The auction winners now indicate they want to build more than a marijuana provisioning center. ELi's Dan Totzkay and Alice Dreger report on the latest developments.

Tuesday, East Lansing’s City Council will be talking about a citizen review board for complaints against police and fire officers, and discussing what to do with land sales. Representatives from Royal Vlahakis are also scheduled to appear. What’s up?