Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr told The Detroit News editorial board Friday that he hopes to work in cooperation with the city’s elected leaders. (John T. Greilick / the Detroit News)
Detroit — Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr says stripping the pay of the Detroit City Council is "not one of the things on my agenda" as he begins the task of turning around the troubled city's finances.
Orr told The Detroit News editorial board Friday that he hopes to work in cooperation with the city's elected leaders. Asked if he plans immediate pay changes for City Council members, Orr suggested he is not inclined to be punitive: "I would like to think my reputation is I don't work that way."
Orr did not rule outeliminating "redundancies."
"I try to do what makes sense," he said.
Council members make $73,181 annually; the council president makes $77,000.
Public Act 436, the state's new emergency manager law that takes effect March 28, will strip fiduciary responsibilities from Mayor Dave Bing and the City Council as well as immediately end their pay and benefits, according to Michigan State University economist Eric Scorsone. The emergency manager can partially or fully restore them.
City Council members were not present when Bing, Snyder and Orr stood together Thursday at Cadillac Place in Detroit to announce Orr's appointment. Bing has pledged to cooperate with Orr and last week declined to join an unsuccessful City Council appeal of his appointment at the state Treasury building.
Just hours before Orr's introduction, council members agreed they would not seek a legal challenge of Orr's appointment and instead would focus on working to move the city forward.
"When I ran for City Council in 2009, I had a desire to help with Detroit's revitalization and that aspiration has not been diluted with the appointment of Mr. Orr," council member James Tate said in a statement Thursday. "Everyone has a role to play in the transformation of the city of Detroit in order for today's challenges to be a thing of the past. I remain steadfast in my commitment to the City of Detroit. Let's work together."
Council member Andre Spivey sounded a similar note, saying his first obligation "is to the citizens of Detroit, who had enough faith to elect me to this office."
"I am committed to serving them during this transitional period, and making sure their voice is heard and not silenced during the process," Spivey said in a statement. "It is my hope this will be a quick process and I trust all parties share this same vision.
"This is a new day in Detroit and I am willing to work together with Mr. Kevyn Orr, Mayor Dave Bing and the state of Michigan to bring fiscal solvency back to the city of Detroit."
Detroit EM weighs options after pension trustees go to Hawaii
The outsider: Kevyn Orr vs. everybody
Hearing in Detroit EM case to decide if state in contempt
Appeals court cancels depositions over Detroit emergency manager appointment
Detroit NAACP seeks to overturn EM law
Orr: Cincinnati police chief is ‘outsider’ in running for Detroit post
EM says concession talks with Detroit’s creditors, unions up next
NAACP in Detroit sues over EM law, offers its own revenue recommendations
Orr: Cincinnati police chief is ‘outsider’ in running for Detroit post
City of Detroit final 45-day financial and operational plan (pdf)
Detroit insolvent, EM Kevyn Orr says
Orr’s plans for Detroit at a glance
Orr’s Detroit report spurs worries over retiree pensions, benefits
EM to offer glimpse at Detroit’s ‘perfect storm of financial ruin’
Detroit leaders brace for EM report on restructuring due to financial crisis
See Also
- Finley: Orr just might get the job done
- Feeling ‘embarrassed,’ Orr pays taxes
- Detroit EM eyes regional water system
- Berman: Orr steps in as Detroit’s latest hero
- Records show Detroit’s emergency manager has tax liens on Maryland home
- Some Hamtramck leaders welcome prospect of emergency manager
- Photos: State introduces Detroit emergency manager
- In photos, a fast break look at Michigan teams in the NCAA Tournament through the years
Join the Conversation
The Detroit News aims to provide a forum that fosters smart, civil discussions on the news and events that we cover. The News will not condone personal attacks, off topic posts or brutish language on our site. If you find a comment that you believe violates these standards, please click the "X" in the upper right corner of the post to report it.