FLINT, Michigan — The city could be in the hands of an outsider within weeks.

An outsider who will have sweeping powers to overhaul Flint government, including the ability to dissolve the city. All while Flint taxpayers foot the bill for his or her salary.

But who will become Flint’s next emergency manager is still unknown.

The appointment of an emergency manager is a likely next step for the city, now that Gov. Rick Snyder has concurred with a review panel’s report that said Flint is in a financial emergency.

(SEE ALSO: Some facts about emergency managers, as Flint faces potential state takeover)



Mayor Dayne Walling and members of the Flint City Council said Thursday they don’t plan on fighting the panel’s decision, which includes a recommendation that an emergency manager take over.

If Snyder confirms the financial emergency, his next step under the law will be to appoint someone to manage the city.

“It is what it is and we must move forward,” City Council President Jackie Poplar said. “We’re all trying to work through this with a partnership.”

Poplar said it’s unknown who’s in the running for the job, but at least one familiar name said he’s not interested.

Ed Kurtz, Flint’s emergency financial manager from the city’s 2002 state takeover, gave a resounding “no” when asked Thursday if he would consider the job.

“I’ve been away from it all for about eight years,” he said.

The minimum qualifications for the position are laid out in state law: A minimum of five years experience and expertise in business, finance or local or state budgetary matters.

Snyder’s choice will have broad powers to manage city government, including the ability to change existing labor contracts, revise the city budget, outsource services, sell city assets or even institute bankruptcy proceedings.

Snyder’s spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

The emergency manager will act in place of the mayor and Flint City Council — all of whom would lose their power, pay and benefits after the manager is appointed.

The emergency manager, however, has the authority to reinstate some or all of their compensation if he or she chooses.

Still, Poplar said she’d welcome an emergency manager.

“I’m willing and my other colleagues are willing to work for the betterment of the city,” she said.

Councilman Joshua Freeman said he’s looking for “someone who can come in and take care of the issues facing the city,” such as union contracts, legacy costs and overspending.

Brian Burdy, president of the Flint police officers patrol union, said he would prefer an emergency manager to the alternative of a “consent agreement” with the state, which would have granted broad powers to the mayor and/or city council to handle the city’s finances.

The review panel chose not to implement such an agreement because they felt city officials didn’t do enough to rectify the city’s financial problems.

“We’re looking forward to working with the emergency manager,” Burdy said.

He’s a “bit concerned” that an emergency manager could cut pay or lay off employees, but he’s hoping departments other than public safety, such as the mayor’s office, will be cut, he said.

“Anything could happen, but I’m pretty optimistic that things are going to work out well for us,” he said. “What we’re hoping is that they’re going to take into consideration how much we’ve been cut and won’t do anything to hurt us.”

Last week, the state-appointed emergency manager for the city of Pontiac fired the city’s clerk, attorney and director of public works.

His financial plan calls for raising property taxes, consolidating the fire department with the Waterford Township Fire Department and merging or privatizing other city offices.

Snyder and state Treasurer Andy Dillon are probably already in the process of vetting candidates for the job, said Eric Scorsone, a Michigan State University professor and member of MSU Extension’s Government and Public Policy Team.

Scorsone was part of the team that led training sessions for people interested in becoming emergency managers after the law was amended in March under the new Snyder administration. About 500 people attended the training sessions, he said.

Scorsone also led the research team that recently released a report about Flint’s financial challenges, which he said are “severe.”

“It’s going to be someone who can hit the ground running pretty quickly to make some dramatic changes,” he said. “Given the severity of the crisis, it’s going to be someone who could take pretty dramatic action to start to address the problems.”

Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.