Ferndale Appoints Members to 2024 Finance Committee
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 13, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – The City of Ferndale is moving forward with a citizen’s committee tasked with reviewing finances for the city in anticipation of the city’s 2015 Headlee Override expiring at the end of 2025. At City Council’s Aug. 28 meeting, Mayor Melanie Piana appointed nine members and one alternate to the Finance Committee.
Twenty-six residents applied to serve. Those selected included people from all four quadrants of the city, both renters and homeowners, and people with diverse backgrounds. Members are:
Chair: Quinn Zeagler
Vice Chair: TBD
Member: Kate Baker
Member: Jeffrey Loftus
Member: Kimberly Lennex
Member: Dale Vigliarolo
Member: David Hoppe
Member: Brook Ciambelli
Member: Alvita Lozano
Member: Kyle Savoie
Alternate: Simrit Jhita
City Manager Joe Gacioch explained that the objective of the committee is to form an opinion about the potential of a 2024 millage ballot initiative. Key factors for consideration are the property tax implications, the levels of staffing and governmental services, and the progress of the 2022 Facilities Task Force Recommendations.
With the Headlee set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025, the City faces a 30% drop in property tax revenue, roughly $3.7 million. A renewal could only happen if approved by the voters. Members of the Committee will meet through the end of this year to learn the ins and outs of municipal financing, as well as to learn more about facility needs and projected costs.
Mayor Piana made the recommended appointments, selecting Quinn Zeagler as the Chair. Ziegler served on the Environmental Sustainability Commission as well as the Facilities Task Force.
Also on the Facilities Task Force is Dale Vigliarolo who owns a roofing/construction company. He hopes his experience on the Task Force will carryover into this Committee. “It was a diverse group of people and everyone had unique views and ideas of what was going on,” he said. “We looked at the conditions of our buildings, and they need a lot of work. We creatively need to figure out ways to ensure the future of the buildings in our city, as well as the services.”
Jeffrey Loftus was also appointed to the Committee. He has a degree in Public Administration and has also had a career in the automotive industry. He’s lived in Ferndale since buying his home in 1997. “I wanted to get more involved in volunteering or serving the community. Hoping this leads to more adventures in the civic area! I love Ferndale and I am very excited about this opportunity to serve our cool community.”
Alvita Lozano brings government experience to the Committee. She works for the City of Detroit Office of Development and Grants where she monitors $690 million of grant funding. Her skills were especially put to the test during the pandemic when she served as program analyst over the Health Department Grant Portfolio during the pandemic.
“I also love to read municipal Certified Annual Financial Reports.” Lozano said.
The 2024 Finance Committee will meet through the end of the year, and present recommendations in January or February. Meetings will be open to the public, and are expected to be recorded for the City’s You Tube page as well. Learn more about City of Ferndale at https://www.ferndalemi.gov.
