25LINKBUDGET(FULL) - Flipbook - Page 17
City of Plymouth 2024 / 2025 Budget
cost of supplies and contractual services as those contractors attempt to meet their higher
expenses. Other utility costs for electric, natural gas or even water affects our operations and
especially the General Fund. This will also affect our infrastructure program as contractors pass
along higher expenses for fuel, employees, and supplies.
The City Commission and City leadership staff met on Thursday, January 11, 2024, with Dr. Lew
Bender to create the new one-year tasks for the Five-Year Strategic Plan. The strategic plan
provides the city administration with a guide map of our proposals and actions.
Our employees are committed to the City Commission’s strategic plan and the path that was
established by the City Commission. The Administrative team is engrained with the “Plymouth
Culture” of government being a “team sport” in which everyone pitches in and shifts where and
when needed. Again, this has been best seen during our response to when employees are out
for extended periods for health or other reasons and during major activities, such as elections
and events.
Despite our success at delivering a wide range of services, we all must be acutely aware that
government cannot solve every individual issue or problem. Changing directions to respond to
or developing specific ordinances to resolve a single issue will result in several unintended
consequences in other areas. While the City Commission and the staff listen to those who may
demand that we follow their specific directions, we must be aware that it is the City Commission
that represents the citizens and businesses they are the ones who must decide what is in the best
interest of the community and the city. Occasionally, this means we may not always obey those
who have demanded an alternative method or process and while we try to get to “yes,” that is not
always possible.
The strategic plan requires us to continue to be a leader in intergovernmental partnerships, and
we continue to look for additional partnerships in either the governmental or private sector. Our
history has shown that we have found significant success with some partnerships, and we found
no success with others. Our multiple partnerships with Huron Valley Ambulance are an excellent
example of partnerships that have a proven track record of success. The Commission will recall
that not only do we have an agreement to provide emergency medical services to the city, HVA
also provides the city with a fully stocked and licensed ambulance for our use at no charge. In
addition, the city leases our mechanic’s garage to HVA, and they provide mechanic services to
the city on an hourly basis.
The agreement with the City of Northville for fire service is now in the 12th year of operation under
a long-term contract. Plymouth’s efforts to continue to monitor and drive for improvement in their
operations at the Plymouth Station were confirmed to be vital by the ICMA – Center for Public
Safety Management (CPSM). The City Commission in partnership with the City of Northville,
realizes the value of the outside review of Fire Operations and has once again turned to the ICMA
Center for Public Safety Management to review current operations and to make
recommendations for the future. The city recently received that report and we have placed it on
our web site. As a result of the report, we anticipate additional costs of the operations, and we
look forward to the quick implementation of many of the recommendations of the CPSM staff.
Plymouth is a very service-based community and partnerships with community groups such as
the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs provide a wide range of services to the city. For example,
during the height of the pandemic Plymouth Rotary sponsored a promotion in cooperation with
our DDA to infuse $10,000 directly into our local businesses. These service groups are a vital and
25BINTRO-03-CMBM.DOCX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INT 3
