Deadline set for the removal of pet coke
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has ordered the removal of all petroleum coke from the city's riverfront. Detroit Bulk Storage must remove the material by Aug. 27. The Associated Press reports that the storage company failed to move the pet coke by a previous deadline set by Detroit's Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department.
Jackson city employees face layoffs
Some Jackson employees may be laid off after a blow to the city's budget. The Michigan Court of Appeals struck down Jackson's storm water fee as an illegal tax. Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody reports that "since 2011, the city collected more than two million dollars from the fee to pay for street cleaning and leaf pick up. But without the storm water fee revenues, Mayor Martin Griffin says the city will have to cancel those city services and lay off the city employees who performed them."
Oakland County leverages DIA millage
Oakland County is trying to protect its contributions to the Detroit Institute of Arts. There is concern that the $23 million in annual millage money from several counties may fall into Detroit's creditor's hands rather than the DIA. Michigan Radio's Sarah Cwiek reports that "Oakland County officials have threatened to revoke its portion of the millage if the DIA’s assets are diminished, or if any of that millage money ends up going to pay off the city’s debts."
