Muskegon Heights, Michigan

Muskegon Heights officials are aiming to hire a full-time city manager by the end of 2025 as the city confronts a projected $5.3 million budget deficit. Police Chief Maurice Sain has been serving as acting city manager since a federal raid on city hall in late July, but has indicated he does not plan to stay in the role long-term.

The position became vacant after the council fired interim manager Pearlette Merriweather, who had flagged a $2.5 million to $2.9 million deficit, and then fired her replacement, Fire Chief Shawnderick Roberson, following felony drug trafficking charges connected to the federal investigation. Council members have sparred over process, with one proposing a search firm and formal application parameters, and others pushing for faster action given interest from at least three candidates. A Dec. 31 deadline has been floated for hiring and onboarding. The city must also submit a state-mandated deficit elimination plan and adopt a 2027 budget by year's end to preserve its short-term borrowing ability.