last year, and we were reimbursed only part of it. Our annual audit costs $36,000, and even publishing required legal notices costs thousands more. The state mandates these expenses but doesn’t fund them.” He adds that the city’s district court—technically a state entity—costs local taxpayers $625,000 annually. “Even though it’s a state function, we pay for it,” Sobota notes. “That’s the reality of unfunded mandates.” ADVOCACY, COLLABORATION, AND CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Despite the financial strain, Center Line has shown remarkable ingenuity in finding solutions.“We’ve had to think outside the box,” Champine says.“One of the ways we’ve offset costs is by opting into Michigan’s cannabis laws, which revitalized our industrial areas.” Another innovative approach is the city’s partnership with the U.S. Army Garrison in neighboring Warren. (586) 726-1234 | www.aewinc.com ENGINEERING STRONG COMMUNITIES 189 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11 CENTER LINE, MI
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx