"I've known and respected Jack for many years, and I look forward to having him as part of my team," Bing said at the press conference, which took place in a new briefing room unveiled today at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. "He brings critical expertise to my administration as we work to fiscally restructure the city." (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Mayor Bing picks Jack Martin for Chief Financial Officer

By Karen Hudson Samuels/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - “It’s good to be back” said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing during opening remarks at his first official press briefing since returning to work following recovery from a perforated colon.

The Mayor used the occasion Thursday afternoon to address a wide range of municipal issues: From aggressive reductions in the number of city employees, to a novel public safety initiative and naming the city’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Bing first introduced Jack Martin as the city’s CFO, a requirement of the Financial Stability Agreement between the State and City of Detroit. Martin, who most recently served as the Emergency Financial Manager of Highland Parks Schools, will report directly to the Mayor and earn an annual salary of $220,000.

Martin is well acquainted with the city’s financial status having been a member of the State’s Financial Review Board. He brings 40 years of expertise as a Certificated Public Account to his position and served, Bing said, as the CFO for the U.S. Department of Education from 2002 to 2005.

Mayor Bing went on to “set the record straight” on staff reductions during his administration.

“We began my administration with 14,505 city employees and through staff reductions as of April 2012, there are 11,034 employees in city government”.

Since January of this year Bing said employee headcount has been reduced by 864 employees, however, he is proposing an additional 936 employees be cut by June 2012.

Together the headcount reduction of 1,800 would reduce payroll Bing said by an estimated $100 million dollars. “These are aggressive reductions” being done to maintain core city services and fiscal stability.

On the issue of public safety, Bing announced a major revamping of the city’s existing police reservists program, it will support what the Mayor says is his commitment to “shutting down lawlessness in the city”.

The Enhanced Police Reserve Program would tap into an unused resource by making changes subject to approval by the Board of Police Commissioners.

Under the enhanced program, applicants to the Detroit police department would have to serve as a Reservist prior to being sworn in. The approach is innovative and offers a ready pool of resources that have an incentive to serve. An additional benefit to Department said Chief Godee Is a chance to see if a candidate is a good fit.

The Chief said the goal is to have between 200 and 250 Reservists in the enhanced program. There are 30 Reservists ready to go now said Godbee under the “traditional” reserve program.

Retired Detroit police officers, are another untapped resource, they could return as Reservists, their incentive Godbee explained would maintenance of their state Law Enforcement certification.

The reservists would supplement DPD on foot patrol at public events and support precincts as required.