Some people love action movies while others crave drama flicks but sometimes its kind of cool to understand city activities and see if there are ways to improve future opportunities (🤓Yes I realize its not as fun as watching the Packers but "real life" is played on a more global arena 😯). Watching the happenings of local government meetings, helps to get a feel for how everyday hum drum issues of city management are influenced by wider geo-political adjustments. As our government reorients toward long-term job creation and manufacturing development there will be adjustments in local governance as well (i.e. have city hall meetings shared online). As national infrastructure changes, industry will change, and in turn shift the platforms in which towns/cities exist that can come with benefits from global market alignment. For the most part I'm watching because I like to be an informed citizen but also because I want to understand more about city administration (That is not exclusive to Escanaba but to the general concept of city management). A few ideas and thoughts below ...
Key Points:
1. City Budgets: You can read Escanaba's city budget HERE. I haven't read through the budget in significant detail but it looks like a fairly standard for cities of similar size. Local and national budgets are likely to be impacted by major market changes as the U.S. and China adjust their global networks to feed industry and growth. Attracting new businesses and opportunities is enhanced by developing a calibrated tax system that can balance out different stakeholder needs to attract business that feed growth that leads to fiscal balance I'm thinking about how lower HQ costs could potentially impact supplier network investment that will significantly improve local budgets (See HQ Supply Taxes). All of these ideas are theoretical in nature and more of an exploratory approach to understand via real life models how a larger national theory might operate on the local level (Where it impacts real people, institutions, and cultures. See Cultural and Financial Development).
It is important to be flexible with budgets. Let us say that some new industry wants to invest in the area (Delta County Start Up) and/or Escanaba becomes a "hot spot" tourist destination (See Digital Nomads). As city revenue grows it may be possible to set up additional revenue streams beyond tax payer dollars to ensure that as the city expenses grow that its revenue grows at a slightly accelerated rate to develop long-term sustainability 💰💸 This can be partially explained via increases in revenue and benchmarking expenditure loops. Positive budgets naturally impact the quality of life for residents as local projects (influencing cultural branding) can be internally financed through surplus city revenue in a way that improve the lives of residents, their families, and their future children. See Perpetual Sustainable Development).
The medium term impact of COVID is local municipalities seeking to take advantage of a future increase in high technology development. City budgets will then start to focus more on meeting the digital global market through tech/communication enhancements (See Delta County 18 Million Broadband). As places like Delta County become influenced by larger national infrastructure development they be pushed by necessity to adjust. Getting ahead of the digitization curve and maximizing one's future market position could come through the development of smarter cities better connected to the global market. Read a pretty descent overview article at Getting Clever About Smart Cities:New Opportunities Require NewBusiness Models. (Wouldn't it be cool in this philosophical exercise if we could spark digitization and innovation through pin pointed investments? See the Working Hub 👍)
2.Firearms: Not being able to use firearms within the city limits. Great idea! However, I'm curious about if I practice a recurve bow (vs. crossbow) in my backyard if it violates any ordinances? 🤔 No biggie either way! Just curious?
3.Hog Rally: Rock the Docks, July 23rd alcohol and parade request. I sort of thought about getting a bike in the next two years. I'm split between a Hog and Rocket!
4. Grants for Water: Discussion on grants for the water treatment plant. Grants can be so difficult and time consuming. I'm trying to get some grants for one our our local firefighter organizations and the large amount of paperwork just to submit for some of these grants is time consuming. Lots of submissions but not very fruitful!📧
Now, if your a company executive reading through this (Sometimes the language and tone of writing attracts certain demographics and psychographics) and want to unload some corporate sponsorship and good works money to balance your corporate tax rate I'm sure that any number of volunteer firefighter organizations in the county/area would be happy to provide you with a receipt from one of their life-saving non-profit entities (....not to mention towns/cities like Escanaba and Gladstone have relatively small budgets wouldn't likely mind help either 💁). I know of one fire department that is looking for a new grass truck and air bottles. Help those who help us. :) Nahma, Township, Ensign Twp. Escanaba Township Fire Department, Thompson Township Fire Department.
5. Its nice of the city to give a kudos to someone improving their abilities. It helps create a better sense of community.
Agendas:
You may be interested in the agenda HERE There are also previous agendas if you want to browse HERE.
Couple of Important Topics:
A couple of interesting key points from the Agenda......
Approval – Michigan HOG Rally Parade and Reception at Rock the Dock – Recreation. Explanation: The Delta County Chamber of Commerce is requesting approval for a parade permit and alcohol sales for Friday, July 23, 2021, in conjunction with the HOG Rally. Administration is recommending approval of the request provided: 1) proper liability insurance will be filed with the City naming the City as an additional insured.
Administration sought Council approval to award Great Lakes Fireworks of West Branch, Michigan, to conduct the annual 4th of July fireworks display on Saturday, July 3rd in the amount of $10,000. The City of Escanaba Recreation Department will be raising additional funds to contribute to the fireworks display. Great Lakes Fireworks is a sole source supplier.
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