Rumor vs. Reality

Reality

A deficit isn't caused by a single purchase or project. Deficits happen when long-term revenue is less than long-term expenses. In Holly's case, the deficit developed over several years because of reporting delays from the auditing agency, along with incorrect financial reports provided by staff in 2023 and 2024. At the same time, the Headlee rollback steadily reduced our millage authority from 20 mills to 11 mills, cutting our ability to raise revenue nearly in half.

The council used our savings to purchase life-saving vehicles for first responders and to secure an office for staff to work from. Those investments did not cause the deficit — it came from declining revenue, which savings could not have prevented.

Reality

The budget process is fully transparent and conducted in public. Draft budgets are presented at open meetings, two workshops are held where the council and staff go line by line, residents can comment, and final budgets must be approved by the council in a public vote. This year we brought in an independent company, Municipal Analytics, to do a full survey of revenue and expenditures. They found there was no wasteful spending.

Reality

Water and sewer rates aren't simply numbers the Village can pick. Under Michigan law, utility charges must be connected to the actual cost of providing the service — operating and treating the system, maintaining pipes and equipment, and planning for infrastructure that will eventually need to be replaced. That's why the Village hired Municipal Analytics to conduct a comprehensive water and sewer rate study.

As members of our Finance Committee, we didn't just accept numbers on a spreadsheet. We went back through historical documents, looked at how Holly has structured its fees over the years, and reached out to neighboring municipalities. One thing became very clear: Holly is not alone — communities across Michigan are dealing with aging water and sewer infrastructure as costs continue to rise.

We also have to acknowledge where Holly can do better. Historically, some tap-in fees, user charges, and rate structures weren't reviewed as regularly as they should have been. Going forward, regular reviews will become standard practice, not something we wait years to address.

Reality

The restoration and relocation of the train depot were made possible through donations and grants collected over the past decade. No village tax dollars were used. This project is the result of long-standing community support and outside funding dedicated to preserving Holly's history.

Reality

The Village of Holly carries insurance, and that coverage includes attorneys who represent the Village when lawsuits or legal claims arise. That doesn't mean lawsuits have no cost to taxpayers — think of it like your own car or homeowners insurance. Insurance companies evaluate claims history, financial standing, liabilities, and overall risk when setting premiums.

The Village pays for its insurance through the Village budget — ultimately with taxpayer dollars — and claims and increased liability can affect the cost of that coverage over time. Having insurance protects residents from potentially enormous legal expenses, but it doesn't make litigation free.

Reality

April Brandon is your neighbor. She is a Gold Star mom raising her family right here in the Village of Holly. She eats breakfast at the local coney. The road in front of her house is crumbling too.

And she volunteers — a lot. She collects donations for LACASA, helps veterans, shows up for park cleanups, works with the League of Enchantment, and runs her own counseling practice. Somewhere in between raising a family, running a business, and volunteering, she also serves as President of the Village of Holly.

You don't have to agree with every decision April makes — that's part of local government. But disagreement doesn't have to turn our neighbors into villains. April, Shannon, and Amber live here. They drive the same roads, pay the same utility bills, shop at the same stores, and care about what happens to Holly because this is their home too.