Flint’s emergency manager says time is running out for city council members to complete required governance training.
Darnell Earley's appointment as Flint’s EM ends next spring. But it’s unclear if state oversight will continue, or a transition back to local control will begin.
Completing the training is part of Earley’s plan to begin the transition.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and two councilmen have completed or nearly completed training for how to manage city budgets and other local government skills.
But Earley says most city council members still have a lot of work to do.
“I’m still hopeful that particularly as we get closer to the end of my tenure they’ll recognize that they’ll need that,” says Earley.
Flint still has $9 million budget deficit. Earley’s latest report to the state says the city of Flint remains in a “financial emergency."
But Earley is not closing the door on Flint transitioning back to local control.
“The next six months will determine whether the city is capable of self-governance,” says Earley.
