Flint is getting its third emergency manager in less than six months.
Flint’s current Emergency Manager announced his resignation today.
Mike Brown is in his second stint as Flint’s Emergency Manager. Governor Snyder appointed Brown to the post in 2011. A change in the state law forced him to step down in 2012. Another change opened the door to Brown replacing his own replacement a few months ago. Mike Brown also briefly served as Flint’s interim mayor in 2009 after the resignation of former Mayor Don Williamson.
Brown says he’s stepping down now because of several serious issues facing his family.
“This is the kind of job…it’s a 24/7 job,” Brown told a packed news conference this morning, “You have to have the juice to really focus all the time. Right now it’s really best for me to make this decision…and move on.”
As he leaves his city hall office, Mike Brown says Flint is on the right path.
“We’re on a very different path from Detroit. We are on a path toward solvency and not bankruptcy,” says Brown.
Flint just closed out its first balanced budget fiscal year in seven years. Flint is still dealing with a $19 million deficit. But Brown says the city can accelerate its payments to pay that deficit down.
Brown also cited efforts to address Flint’s crime problem and other infrastructure needs.
Saginaw City Manager Darnell Earley will become Flint’s next emergency manager next month. He brings 35 years of experience in managing local government.
Earley did not talk about his specific plans for his tenure as Flint’s next Emergency Manager, but he did point to the end of state oversight.
“The goal is not now nor was it ever to take over the city,” says Earley, “ It always has been and continue to be restoring and sustaining fiscal stability to one of Michigan’s and the nation’s greatest urban core cities with a long history and tradition.”
Earley will start his new job next month.
