Metro Detroit cities are suffering from the same economic demise. We have had a the down turn in the real estate values, loss of jobs, decreased revenue sharing and the list of negatives goes on and on.....................................................welcome to Michigan 2010.
The problem in most cases of area cities is viewed as death to city services, jobs and city amenities. Troy has a unique situation unlike most of the other Michigan municipalities in the state. Troy has a massive internal city government machine with lots of city run services. The city, unlike those in the area, did not outsource its services early on in years past which places Troy in both a good and bad situation now. We all knew the day would come when big government, even at the local level, would be unsustainable and that day is here for Troy, but the right decisions in the right areas for cuts could provide the city with a surplus of money to add services and areas that would place Troy years ahead of other area cities for the recovery that will arrive in the years to come.

The dollars saved from just two to three areas which are now becoming common place solutions but in Troy's case offer huge new funds to provide city leaders with opportunities to add services new parents, new residents and those looking to come to Michigan in the future would lure people to Troy and increase property values, reinvent Troy as a metropolitan mecca instead of a metropolitan skeleton of what once was. By privatizing the DPW and Motor Pool along with Police services Troy residents could have a conservative budget surplus of atleast 8 million dollars....yes a surplus....What could be done with those funds? Beautification projects could move forward, enhancement to city parks, retention of the community center, library and other quality of life services. A lot of money would be available. Those available funds could give opportunities to city leaders unlike those in other metro Detroit communities who have already made these cuts early on and now have nothing left to cut.  Most cities have already scuttled their DPW in favor of private companies. Motor Pools are long gone in favor of private repair facilities and a metropolitan police department of multiple south Oakland county communities or a Sheriff's contract would provide a recycling of existing cash flow already there. Troy has areas left to cut and tap "locked" money in favor of freeing a portion of that money for re-inventive uses.

Troy could emerge even a stronger community financially, better positioned to lead the area in economic recovery instead of follow the region and re-emerge as a center of excellence in a redefined and re-energized way....all with dollars we already have through a more focused, better allocated and citizen focused uses of existing money!