Bing Updates City Council On Planned Reforms

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Mayor Dave Bing went before Detroit City Council on Monday, for the first time in months, giving members an update on the city's budget situation. He also talked about the next phase of reforms within city government

Bing said his administration is looking to partner with businesses as part of the consent agreement with the state -- but offered few details about that plan.

"I'm not sure that we have an estimated cost just yet," said Bing. "I think we're waiting for the response from those who are interested in working for us and with us, and once we get that information back, not only we will have a cost to share with you, but a timeline."

Bing said one reform on the way is the creation of a Public Lighting Authority that would be in charge of fixing street lights.  Other planned changes deal with  income tax collection and demolitions.

Bing said making the city's water department more efficient is also one of his top priorities.

"We have no options, in my opinion, other than taking, you know, a very, very hard look at how we can make the water department and be able to compete with any other water department in the country," said Bing.

Bing said he's working with an expert from Washington D.C. on how to improve efficiency within department.  In August he announced a plan to drastically reduce staff water department staff through attrition and layoffs over the next five years. (More on this here).