Economic Vitality Incentive Program

Long gone are the days when the state routinely sent funds to cities like ours as part of the statutory revenue-sharing program. As belts continue to be tightened across the state and the nation, Michigan has established three criteria that must be met before any checks are cut. Even then, the City of Royal Oak will receive only two-thirds of statutory the revenue-sharing funds; the other third has been eliminated as Lansing tries to balance its own budget.

Royal Oak has three specific requirements:

• Establishing the Citizen’s Guide to Finances and Performance Dashboard. Beginning in October, each city must provide detailed data that helps measure quality of life. The report reflects the city’s stability, economic strength and public safety. While Royal Oak has always compiled this data, it was geared more towards finance wizards than the average citizen. This new system is compiled in layman’s terms and is very easy to understand – even if you aren’t a CPA.

  Some interesting facts from the Dashboard

  ** Our population remains steady at 57,236 residents.

  ** 83.1 percent of Royal Oakers were registered to vote in 2010 -- 165 more than in 2009.

  ** Crimes, fires and traffic accidents were all down in 2010 compared to the year before.

Complete Citizen's Guide to Finance and Performance Dashboard

• Planning for Cooperation/Collaboration. Royal Oak has been a leader in this area and we continue to work with surrounding communities to find ways to increase efficiency and lower costs. Every idea is being explored, and many steps have already been taken that have saved taxpayers thousands of dollars.

  Report on Collaboration, Cooperation and Consolidation Efforts (updated: 12-22-2011)

• Establishing and publicizing the Employee Compensation Plan. The City has been working with employees to reduce health care and pension costs over the past few years. As a result, all settled 2011-2013 union contracts include a reduction in health care and pension costs, as well as a reduction in wages.

  Employee Compensation Plan (report coming soon!)

We’re all facing these uncertain financial times together. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with suggestions on how we can live leaner while still maintaining Royal Oak as a wonderful place to live, work and visit.