Flint's new city budget begins July first. But it's still not clear if city employees will be laid off to make the numbers work. The Flint city council approved the city's budget on Monday. The spending plan is based partly on a 15% wage and benefit concession by Flint's city unions. Concessions that the unions have not agreed too.
Even though the new budget takes effect July 1st, Flint mayor Dayne Walling insists layoffs are not imminent. He says decisions on possible staff cuts will be based on monthly reviews of Flint's budget situation.
“There is a reality that you can only spend a dollar one time. And once that dollar gets spent…than its not available for services in January or next Spring.”
Flint has already laid off dozens of city employees during the past year, as the city struggles with a multi-million dollar budget deficit.
