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Flat Rock council approves appointments, vehicle purchases and financial housekeeping on voice votes
Summary
The council appointed Jim Hubbard as fire chief at $102,000, suspended the first reading of a fund-balance policy, approved a water van purchase and budget amendment, authorized salt and repair payments, and continued a municipal finance dissemination agreement.
The Flat Rock City Council approved several routine and administrative items at its meeting, including an appointment to the fire department, equipment purchases, and financial housekeeping.
Appointment: Mayor recommended Jim Hubbard (interim fire chief) be appointed fire chief at an annual salary of $102,000 with the city's standard administrative benefits and three weeks' vacation. Council moved, supported and approved the appointment by voice vote. The council offered congratulations after the vote.
Labor negotiations: Council appointed negotiating-committee members to prepare for police contract bargaining that begins ahead of the contracts’ June 30, 2026 expiration; the committee membership named in the meeting included councilmembers appointed to serve on command and patrol negotiation teams and the motion passed on a voice vote.
Finance and policy: Staff introduced a draft fund-balance policy informed by Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guidance recommending an unrestricted fund-balance range (presented as 30–50%). Staff reported the city’s current unrestricted balance at about 42%. Council moved to suspend the first reading of the fund-balance policy so the council could consider it sooner; the suspension passed by voice vote. The policy draft will be available at the clerk’s office for review.
Procurement and payments: The council approved a water-department purchase of a 2024 cargo van (to be funded from the water department) and a corresponding budget amendment. The council also approved an invoice to Detroit Salt Company for 100 tons of rock salt and authorized payment for a brakes repair on the fire department vehicle Alpha 7 (repair cost reported as $3,873.89; staff said the vendor agreed to rebate $493 for part of the overage). Officials said these votes were taken by voice and recorded as 'Aye.'
Municipal finance services: The treasurer presented an updated dissemination agreement with the city’s municipal finance provider to maintain required annual filings (EMMA) and to support future bond work. Council approved continuation of that agreement by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: All items reported in this article were approved by voice vote; the meeting transcript records 'Aye' responses rather than a roll-call tally. Where documents or vendor names appeared with multiple spellings in the packet, staff said the document on file with the clerk would be the official record.
Next steps: Several of the approved administrative items (the fund-balance policy draft and the developer’s presentation materials) will be made available at the clerk’s office and posted on the city website for public review.
