Friends & Neighbors:
2022 was my third year in office (and the first year of my new 4 year term), and an incredibly difficult year for me personally due to the death of both of my parents. I committed to a yearly update when I first ran in 2019… even if it’s late! As such I’m going to include some 2023 info as well. I made a commitment when I ran to increase transparency, communication, and accountability. As part of that effort, this letter includes a link to my voting record on regular agenda items:
http://bit.ly/voterecord2020
Additionally, I’d like to update you on some of the issues I committed to:
✓ Proactive & enthusiastic communication: In 2022 we continued our newsletter communication and have received very positive feedback about it. We relaunched the city website July 2023 to improve how residents find information. I also continue to make regular updates personally on Facebook (facebook.com/LauraMikulskiForFerndale). I’m open to suggestions on other ways to reach residents about the things that matter most.
✓ Improved downtown sanitation and a citywide effort to reduce rodent issues safely & effectively: After a full year of rat counts through our program with Rose Pest Control, we met with them to discuss moving to a biologic program using Contrapest. We approved a pilot program for this in February 2023 and deployed it in April of this year. This is a big step forward, and our program was cited in Time magazine! I tabled the issue of getting city trash cans for now due to cost (500k) and major budget concerns (read on for more information on that).
Other things you should know about:
We divested from the Kulick Community Center upon recommendation by our facilities task force. The building is now back in the hands of the school district. I was not available for the vote for this due to the sudden death of my mother, and I’m so sad that I wasn’t able to lend my voice to the final vote.
The splash pad opened in late 2022! This was the final item from a previously voted-in bond and is a much-appreciated addition to the community
We continued lead service line replacement. This is an unfunded state mandate, and it’s going to eat up a big chunk of water funds. Water rates are going up to help fund this, and we are also issuing bonds for further infrastructure replacement/repair.
Budget is an ongoing issue. At our budget meeting in March 2022 we discussed this in detail, you can see our city manager present that here: https://bit.ly/2022budgetferndale The 2026 budget deficit was originally projected to be 4.3M; we have amended that based on data from the county around property tax, and we're now projecting a budget deficit of 2.6M. This is because the Headlee override is expiring; as a refresher, the override was voted in in 2011 to increase our tax rate from the voted 14.5 mills up to 20 mills, the maximum allowable amount. These budgetary limitations will need to continue being front and center in our discussions on expenses brought to council. Expect taxes to be a big discussion point, and a solution will be on the ballot next year.
We enacted our Citizen’s Police Advisory Commission early in 2023 and they had their first meeting in July!
Here's hoping the rest of 2023 will bring further opportunity for Ferndale to grow & thrive.
It is an election year (2 city council seats & mayor), so be sure to check out the candidates & get out and vote on November 7th!
Thank you for providing me the opportunity to serve an additional 4 years!
Laura Mikulski – City Council Member
Phone: 313-920-6133 |Email: lmikulski@ferndalemi.gov
Comments