Government of Detroit facts for kids
With a charter adopted on July 1, 1974, the government of Detroit, Michigan, is run by a mayor, the nine-member Detroit City Council, and clerk elected on a nonpartisan ballot. Detroit has a "strong mayoral" system, with the mayor approving departmental appointments. The council approves budgets, but the mayor is not obligated to adhere to any earmarking. The city clerk supervises elections and is formally charged with the maintenance of municipal records. City ordinances and substantially large contracts must be approved by the council. Municipal elections for mayor, city council and city clerk are held in years following presidential elections (such as 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013).
City departments
City departments include:
- Detroit Fire Department
- Detroit Police Department
- Detroit Public Schools
- Detroit Department of Transportation
- Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
City finances
In addition to property tax, the city levies an income tax of 2.65% on residents, 1.325% on non-residents, and 1.6% on corporations. Revenue is also obtained from utility taxes, hotel excises and from the Detroit-owned Water and Sewer system that provides most of the fresh water and sewage treatment facilities within the metropolitan area. Detroit has had to fight off legislative efforts to turn control of the system to the suburbs.
The city has experienced some fiscal years of balanced budgets in the new millennium with new growth in business and tourism. The city has planned a reduced workforce and more consolidated operations. In addition, Detroit had asked for pay cuts and other "give backs" from the municipal unions that represent city employees.
On March 1, 2013, Governor Rick Snyder announced the state was taking over the financial control of the city from the local government. The state is requesting a review team to look over the financial state of the city and determine if an emergency manager is needed to take over control of city spending from city council.
On March 14, 2013, Michigan's Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board appointed an Emergency Financial Manager, Kevyn Orr. Mr. Orr assumed his receivership responsibilities on March 25, 2013.
On July 18, 2013, Detroit filed the largest municipal bankruptcy case in U.S. history.
Sister cities
Sister cities include:
Toyota City, Japan
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Turin, Italy
Minsk, Belarus
Kitwe, Zambia
Nassau, Bahamas
Chongqing, People's Republic of China
International border city:
Images for kids
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William Woodbridge, the first justice of the territorial Supreme Court.
