Mount Clemens leaders report on permits, payroll, water testing and winter preparations

City department heads delivered quarterly reports on infrastructure, finance, human resources and public services at the Mount Clemens City Commission meeting.

Brian Tingle, representing the Community Development Department, said the department issued 376 building and trade permits this quarter, managed 588 open code-enforcement cases, completed 289 rental inspections and vacant-property verifications, issued 93 rental certificates of compliance and six new certificates of occupancy. He also noted the Planning Commission approved a 12,000-square-foot retail building at 50 North North Groesbeck.

Cliff Mason, finance director, summarized tax and cash-management changes: the city issued roughly $22,000,000 in tax bills and collected about 87% (reported as approximately $18,000,000). Mason said the city implemented a new cash system that reduced bank-statement reconciliation from months to days and that Plante Moran auditors are finalizing the audit with a council presentation planned before the holidays.

Sarah Price, human resources director, said the city employs 68 people (58 full-time, 10 part-time), recently onboarded a full-time mechanic and two part-time bus drivers, and has posted the city manager job opening. The clerk’s office reported mailings and absentee-ballot processing for the Nov. 5 election and said it will be open Nov. 2 to assist voters.

Utility staff reported operational details: wastewater crews completed 34 curb-stop repairs and responded to 240 customer requests; the city’s meter-replacement program has nearly finished (about 15 meters remain). A water-plant supervisor said the plant pumped about 205,000,000 gallons this quarter, passed a DEQ lab audit and received certification for three more years, removed old ozone equipment in preparation for new equipment, and completed lead-and-copper testing with results sent to participating residents.

Parking and enforcement data: the parking division issued 1,479 citations (an increase of 263 from last year) and generated approximately $86,788 in meter revenue plus $33,679 in ParkMobile receipts for a total of about $120,467 for the quarter.

City events and outreach included notification that the Mount Clemens Tinsel Tour will light trees starting Dec. 3 and several Halloween events and volunteer opportunities.

Next steps: staff will present final audit results to the council before the holidays and continue work on meter replacements, winterization, and election logistics.