State Treasurer hires Detroit firm to take a closer look at Wayne County's deficit elimination plan

DETROIT (WXYZ) - The State of Michigan hired the Detroit firm Pierce, Monroe & Associates to take a closer look at Wayne County’s financial books, specifically its proposed deficit elimination plan. 

This is the first time the Treasury Department has asked an outside firm to step in to look at a county’s deficit elimination plan.

The Ficano administration has a novel proposal that some critics have questioned.

They want to take unused fees from grant money for things like mental health, and send the money back to the state. Then the county wants the state to return the money, so it can be used to chip away at their $189 million deficit. 

The outside audit firm will provide validation of county revenues, expenditures and other financial data. 

County spokeswoman June West told 7 Action News earlier this week, “We’re working hand in hand with the state. We welcome an outside firm coming in to look at the information.”

West also said that they are committed to getting a deficit elimination plan that both the state and the county can agree on.

Both state and county officials say this has nothing to do with Public Act 4 and the Emergency Manager law.

Pierce, Monroe & Associates is expected to begin its review on Monday, June 25, 2012.

State RFP Wayne County