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Council trims claims, debates fleet spending as treasurer warns of cash‑flow squeeze
Summary
Council removed four invoices from the current claims, defeated a high‑cost vehicle lease for ordinance enforcement and approved a replacement Enterprise vehicle. The city treasurer warned of near‑term cash‑flow shortfalls and asked departments to use direct‑pay where possible.
The Dearborn Heights City Council on Jan. 28 removed four plant‑Moran invoices from the current claims list, approved a replacement Ford Escape from Enterprise Fleet Management, and rejected a proposed 24‑month lease for a Ford Bronco Sport for the ordinance enforcement division after council debate about fleet uniformity and price.
Councilman Saab moved — and the council approved — the removal of claims numbered 22–25 (Plant Moran invoices) from the current claims list. Later debate focused on a staff proposal to lease a Bronco Sport at roughly $567 monthly for ordinance enforcement. Several council members said enforcement vehicles should be uniform and suggested returning for additional quotes on Ford Escapes; the Bronco motion was defeated at roll call. Council then approved purchase of a used 2022 Ford Escape from Enterprise for $10,969.29.
Treasurer Lisa Clayton briefed the council on cash‑flow pressures. She said the city’s general fund stood at about $2 million, with payroll and other liabilities due shortly, and urged tighter accounting. The treasurer recommended direct payment from restricted accounts (for example, act‑based funds and water/sewer funds) when those funds are the legal source for expenses, rather than fronting them from the general fund and later moving amounts back as interfund transfers. She said this would reduce short‑term liquidity pressure.
Separately, council approved an IT contract renewal for Microsoft 365 licensing and approved a pilot purchase of a Dell rugged laptop for police vehicle testing. Council directed administration to return with standardized fleet proposals and asked staff to supply a more detailed payroll backup after a council request to see department‑level payroll data.
The decisions leave the council and administration with a set of follow‑ups: a protocol for fleet procurement, more detailed claims documentation, and an accounting plan to limit use of general‑fund cash for restricted expenditures.
