FLINT -- With Mayor Don Williamson's announcement, citizens in the city aren't sure what's next. Monday night's City Council meeting seemed more like a celebration, but the huge debt left behind by Mayor Williamson leaves many with unanswered questions. Concerned citizens of Flint took to the podium during the meeting, hopeful change is on the way.
Williamson's planned departure is not without some questions. Just days ago Williamson demoted former City Administrator Darryl Buchanan to Deputy Mayor, a position that doesn't exist in the city charter. "There's no position as Deputy Mayor. right now I just don't know," said Councilman Scott Kincaid. "I mean that'll be up to Mike Brown to consider as he looks at the city's finances."
That won't be the only issue on Mike Brown's agenda. Councilman Scott Kincaid said five years ago Flint had a surplus of more than $8 million, now there's a deficit of nearly $8.3 million. "A deficit elimination plan must be prepared and sent to the state," said Kincaid. "To look at the city's finances to get fully briefed on the city's finances so in any decision he makes, he knows what the city's revenues and expenditures are so he can stop the hemorrhaging of tax payer's dollars."
Flint citizens are also asking council to consider an audit of city funds. "Despite an increasing deficit every month, The Williamson Administration continued to buy cars when in fact we have more new vehicles than there are city employees to drive them."
The demotion of Darryl Buchanan from City Administrator to Deputy Mayor has stirred the NAACP of Flint. The group is calling the demotion of Buchanan racist. NBC25 spoke with the chapter's president. Frances Gilcreast she says she called City Hall to get answers, but hasn't heard back yet.
