Gov. Rick Snyder has confirmed his decision that Highland Park faces a financial emergency.
Thesmall city located within Detroit’s borders is no stranger to financial troubles.
The Michigan Department of Treasury first reviewed Highland Park’s finances in 1996. From 2001 through 2009, it had an emergency financial manager.
In January of this year, after a state review process, Gov. Snyder again concluded that the city faces a financial emergency.
Highland Park city officials challenged the finding, but the governor has now reaffirmed his initial decision.
The state review team cites a number of problems, noting a 2013 city audit that “raises substantial doubt about the city’s ability to continue as a going concern.”
Under Michigan’s emergency manager law, city officials now have seven days to choose one of four ways to address the issue, including the option of a new emergency manager.
Highland Park will become the 12th Michigan municipality under some kind of state financial control. Its school district already has an emergency manager.
