The city of Hamtramck will once again be under state control.
The Department of Treasury announced Governor Rick Snyder's appointment of an emergency manager for the city of Hamtramck.
Gov. Snyder selected Pontiac City Administrator Cathy Square. She will assume the position on July 1, 2013.
According to a press release from the Treasury, Hamtramck City Council waived its right to appeal the finding of a financial emergency and unanimously supported the appointment of an EM by the Governor.
Square worked in Pontiac's human resources and public works departments since 2011 before being named as Hamtramck's EM. Before working in Pontiac, Square worked in Detroit's Public Works department.
From the press release:
"Cathy Square's extensive municipal government experience, specifically in Southeast Michigan, makes her well-suited to assume the duties of emergency manager for Hamtramck," Governor Snyder said. "I am certain Cathy will work collaboratively with local officials, citizens and others to address the financial crisis in Hamtramck and ensure residents receive the essential services they need and deserve."
The Treasury Department said Hamtramck's general fund decreased dramatically in just one year -- from $2.7 billion in June 2011 to negative $582,365 in June 2012.
State officials also said general revenues were overestimated for three years in a row, making "city budgets meaningless as a financial management tool."
It was also announced that Gov. Snyder appointed Mike Brown to succeed Ed Kurtz as the emergency manager in Flint.
Kurtz is retiring on July 3, 2013 and Brown will become emergency manager on Independence day.
-- Lucy Perkins, Michigan Radio Newsroom
