FLINT, MI (WNEM) -
Flint city leaders are speaking out about the future of the city's emergency financial manager.
The State Supreme Court ruled Friday that a measure to repeal Public Act No. 4 must appear on the November ballot, and that means the days are numbered for Flint's Mike Brown.
And with his days numbered, some council members are saying the city is in a lot better shape than it was six months ago and that Flint doesn't currently meet the criteria for a state-appointed manager.
"We are meeting payroll, we now have a cash flow, we have a balanced budget, cuts have been made," explained Flint City Council President Scott Kincaid.
Kincaid said the city is in better financial shape than it was when Brown was appointed by the governor, and now it's time for the city's elected officials to retake their jobs of running the city. Kincaid said he will ask other council members to support him in this cause.
"It is time for the elected leaders to lead the community and not have it run by an appointee of the governor," Kincaid said.
Other council members we talked to said they agree with the council president's decision, and they said they don't think the city needs a new emergency manager.
"I will call for a special meeting of the council, and we will look at our options," said Flint City Council Member Sheldon Neeley.
For now, Kincaid said he has a wait and see attitude. He is waiting to have the board of canvassers approve the language on the ballot, and then waiting for the state's treasurer's office to appoint a new emergency manager. He said if that happens, he will put the wheels into motion to call for a vote.
As for EFM Mike Brown, he told The Flint Journal he wants to have the Flint city lock-up open before he's booted from office. The deal to reopen the city jail could come at any time.
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Flint EFM Mike Brown.
