Marine City manager addresses tension tied to budget talks

Commissioner May wants issues in the office eliminated now

By Barb Pert Templeton

When a plan to reduce hours and eliminate pay raises is presented in order to try and balance a budget just the idea of the cuts can prompt stress and tension. It’s what appears to be the case in Marine City right now.

An April 16 budget workshop had one commissioner stating that the apparent lack of “communication and tension” between City Manager Michael Reaves and two department heads, City Clerk Jason Bell and Treasurer Katy Posey, needs to get sorted out, now.

“You can’t drive the ship straight if you guys aren’t communicating,” Commissioner Trish May said. “All of you guys do a terrific job but clearly there’s not communication because what Mike is saying is neither one of you have had these conversations with him and your offices are two feet apart. That’s got to stop, that’s got to get figured out, today – this tension is not going to work for me.”

The budget cuts proposed so far by Reaves are just recommendations based on tackling a $650,000 deficit in the city’s general fund. The list includes no pay increases for employees over the next year, moving some full-time employees to part-time status and reducing the city commissioners’ annual stipend from $2,000 to just $1 for the year.

All of the cuts are just suggestions at this point; the commission is expected to formally adopt the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget in early June.

At the April 16 workshop City Attorney Robert Davis stated that he will be reducing his charges for services to the city by ten percent in the coming year.

After Reaves reviewed the budget Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche asked him if the city’s department heads went over the budget with him and did they have a say in the possible cuts to be made?

“I went over the budget with them, but in terms of them having an opportunity in determining what cuts there were, I wouldn’t say that would be correct, ultimately it’s the budget that I present to you,” Reaves said. “A lot, probably most of the department heads, don’t want to see budget cuts in important areas, especially in personal and I understand that.”

“I also have an obligation to present a balanced budget and we’re not close to that,” Reaves added.

The mayor then asked if after he proposed the cuts did any department heads come to him with alternatives ideas.

“Like saying instead of this let’s do that, did any of the department heads come up with anything?” Vandenbossche asked.

“Not yet,” Reaves said, noting that they have kicked around smaller things like trying to save $500 here or there but nothing major.

Bell commented that while he understands what people are saying and he knows emotions are high, he wished there was another way to do things without cutting positions. He added that “us learning about cuts at the same time you did” really isn’t fair either.

Reaves then stated that he “rejects” the claim that potential cuts are news to his staff, adding that most employees knew what was going on and even talked about it in the office, Reaves then asked the commission to give him time to keep reviewing the revenues and expenditures.

“It isn’t over yet, the fat lady hasn’t sung,” he said.

Budget talks are continuing in the city.

In the meantime, Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with the city manager via email to ask how the issue of tension and communication problems at city hall are being addressed.

Blue Water Healthy Living: What did you mean exactly, when you said you “reject” the idea that the proposed cuts in the budget were news to Clerk Jason Bell and Treasurer Katy Posey?

Reaves: There has been direct and in-direct contact, multiple discussions, meetings, etc. on this budget from the start. Budget cuts are always being looked at and discussed – with all department heads, as well as commissioners in one-on-one meetings. The treasurer and clerk talk constantly – especially about the budget – they have worked together in the process. I found the elicited response, in front of the seated commission and numerous city employees in attendance, a bit disingenuous, as the facts do not support that basis, in my opinion.

BWHL: What is your response to Commissioner Trish May claiming there’s a lack of communication and tension in the office between you and Treasurer Katy Posey and Clerk Jason Bell?

Reaves: The budget process, especially when budget cuts are being considered, is very stressful. All the city staff are stressed over these issues. I did not -on purpose -go to every employee group and talk about potential cuts – because they are just that -potential. Many are changed, reversed, added to, subtracted from, etc. Additionally, no one wants to see the staff associated with their position cut – but there is always a tendency to point to “other” depts of whom they might feel are ripe for a cut in personnel – that’s normal to an extent. Ultimately the city manager is responsible to turn in a balanced budget – regardless of what a dept head, or employee(s) may want to dictate or wish to see – so that does create stressful situations and tension. Many people do not accommodate change very well – and good change / bad change produces its own issues.

BWHL: What’s the plan to address or improve communication?

Reaves: I am always in favor of improved communication -and I try to incorporate that into play with everyone, not only the department heads. The scheduling of town halls on difficult or complex issues, the start of televising BOC meetings for our residents for additional engagement, etc. I believe our many emails and discussions show that communicative effort. I have a practice of not avoiding the hard questions or discussions – I’ll continue that forward.

BWHL: You are obviously a very busy and active leader but do you feel you are an approachable boss/leader if someone (an employee) has an idea or a concern?

Reaves: Everyone can always try to be better. I have stated multiple times -both internally and externally – I am open and want to solicit idea’s, suggestions, criticisms to move this city forward, offer better cost effective and efficient services, etc. Being a leader to me isn’t just being a windmill – turning into the direction of whatever way the wind blows that day. At times, leaders must make unpopular decisions or take positions that impact and effect employees and citizens lives, and business owner’s operations. I do not like to do that – but it comes with the responsibilities of this position. Forecasting to our employees that no pay raises are being considered going forward, even though the majority of our employees deserve raises for the outstanding work they do on half of our city, is not the message that people like to receive or respond well to. So, I try and stay out in front of these issues – making sure that we provide relevant and factual up to date information to everyone – communication in all forms.