Utica Mayor Announces Candidacy; Homeowners to See Dip In Taxes

David Faber Named Utica Police Department’s Interim Chief

Sergeants from the presented City Council with a proposal asking them to take their time as they search for a permanent police chief, and requested that an interim chief be named while the search continues. At Tuesday's Council meeting, Mayor Jacqueline Noonan named Sgt. David Faber as the interim police chief, calling him the “perfect choice” for the job. 

Mayor Noonan Announces Candidacy for Another Term

said the economic challenges facing the city are “probably the worst in Utica’s 194 years.”  Noonan said those challenges are what compelled her to officially announce that she will run again for mayor.  If she wins another term, the mayor said she will not run again. “I know I’ve said that before, but this time I mean it!” she said. Noonan added that a colleague told her that “changing captains midstream leaves a rudderless ship.” She said she wants to see the city through these difficult times.

Utica Property Owners can Expect Slight Decline in City Taxes

City treasurer Philip Paternoster walked the council and those in attendance through the proposed property tax millage rates for the new budget year. Due to declining property values, the vast majority of Utica property owners should see a slight reduction over last year’s city millage rates, Paternoster said. 

Declining tax revenue has made this year’s budget the most difficult in Mayor Noonan’s 24 years in office, she said.  The City Council moved to adopt the millage rates outlined by Paternoster and will hold a session on June 28 at 7 p.m. to adopt the annual budget. Budget details, including millage rates, will be posted on the city’s website after the June 28 meeting.

New Ordinance: Those in City Custody Now Responsible for Paying Own Medical Expenses

Medicare and other insurance carriers will no longer pay for medical services  for individuals in custody of the police or penal authorities unless a city has an ordinance in place that states that those individuals are responsible for payment.

Fire Chief Kevin Wilseck introduced to the council such an ordinance, drafted by city attorney William McGrail Jr., so that the city could get reimbursed for those expenses. Mayor Noonan noted that the ordinance underscores the city’s policy that “everyone who uses our services gets billed.” City Council approved the ordinance.

Give a Gift Foundation Collecting June 30-July 3 in Utica

The Give a Gift Foundation, which last year donated $30,000 to low-income cancer patients, will be collecting donations from the public June 30-July 3. The charity will be collecting at the intersections of Utica and Auburn roads, Cass and Auburn, North Pointe Blvd. and Schoenherr and Van Dyke at Hahn.

City’s Contract with Auditing Firm Renewed

The City Council approved the renewal of a contract with Southfield-based Paul B. Engstrom & Co. L.L.P. to provide the city with auditing services for the price of $34,500, the same price as last year. Engstrom will begin the auditing process around July 20 and issue its report no later than Nov. 30. Mayor  Noonan commented that the city has always received excellent service from the firm.

Utica Resident Wants to Launch Local Youth Assistance Program

Retired Utica resident Don Smith spoke to the City Council about his goal to launch Macomb County and Utica Youth Assistance programs. Smith discovered there were no programs in Macomb County for at-risk youth while trying to help his grandson. Currently, Smith is being trained as a mentor in the Oakland County Youth Assistance Program and wants to muster up support for launching the program in Utica. He said he is in need of volunteers, meeting space, administrative help and legal help to launch the program as a nonprofit 501(c)3. Those interested in helping Smith in his efforts can contact him at myafirst11@yahoo.com.