City of Saginaw, Michigan



state of the city 2024

 


 


2024 Strategic planning

 



The City of Saginaw operates under a Council-Manager form of government. In this system, the City Council is composed of nine members elected at-large in non-partisan elections for four-year, overlapping terms. The Council represents all the citizens of Saginaw and has responsibility for setting all municipal policies such as adopting ordinances, resolutions, fee schedules, voting appropriations, approving the budget and determining the tax rate. The Mayor is a member of Council, who serves as its chairperson as well as fulfilling various ceremonial functions. The Mayor is elected by the Council.

The City Manager is appointed by and is directly responsible to the City Council. The Manager is chosen solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications and experience in municipal affairs. The City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the City.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the City, the Manager carries out the policies that are made by Council and directs and coordinates the work of all City departments. The Manager keeps the Council informed of the conditions and needs of the City, and makes recommendations for action as the need arises. The Manager also prepares the annual budget for Council consideration and upon its enactment, sees that its provisions are upheld.

The Council-Manager form of government is ideal for a mature City, such as Saginaw, as it affords the unification of authority and political responsibility in the elected Council, and centralization of administrative responsibility in a professional administrator. The system fosters democracy and efficiency in a government that is highly responsive to the needs of the City's citizens.




Brenda-Moore 

Brenda F. Moore

Mayor
Term Expires: 2026



Biography

Mayor Brenda Fay Moore is a life-long year resident of the city of Saginaw. She was born in Saginaw and is a proud graduate of Saginaw High School. Brenda also earned an Associate’s degree from Delta College. Mayor Moore understands the value of the family unit and is passionate about helping individuals receive the support and assistance they need to improve their lives.

Since her election to City Council in 2013, Mayor Moore quickly became involved with the Michigan Municipal League by attending conferences and training to understand her role as a newly elected official.  Since then, Brenda was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Michigan Municipal League where she has most recently served as President of the Board. She has also served as 2nd Vice President for the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, President of the Elected Officials Academy, and the Municipal Finance Committee.  Mayor Moore is also a member of the City County School Liaison Committee and hopes to positively impact our youth through her position on City Council.  

Mayor Moore is a member of Greater Renaissance Baptist Church and often volunteers whenever and wherever she is needed to serve in her church.  Brenda appreciates the outdoors and enjoys attending the many summer events in the city, including Jazz on the Jefferson, Light Up the City, and the Friday Night Live concerts.  Mayor Moore loves her home in the heart of downtown Saginaw and is proud to serve the citizens of this beautiful city.


Please click the attached link to submit a request for a certificate of recognition or a proclamation from the Mayor: Click here.


Annie-Boensch2 
Annie Boensch

Mayor Pro-Tem
Term Expires: 2024



Biography

Annie Boensch is a lifelong resident whose family lineage traces back to the 1800s in Saginaw’s history. Her ancestor, Matthias Stoker, laid some of the city’s first sidewalks. Another ancestor, Fred Dustin, is listed in the Saginaw Hall of Fame for his renowned contributions to the field of Archeological study. Herein lies the framework of Annie Boensch’s devotion to the building and preservation of the city of Saginaw.

As a mother of two children, Annie has a dedicated interest in the continued reinvention of Saginaw and has served on the Downtown Development Authority and various other city boards and commissions.  In 2010 Annie was elected Democratic Precinct Delegate and has experience working on various local and state legislative campaigns. Annie works closely with the public in retail, where she enjoys her daily interaction with the varied and diverse people of Saginaw.

Annie has served on City Council since 2011, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Saginaw.  Annie has a strong love for the city and is proud to call it home.




Michael-Balls 

Michael D. Balls
Council Member
Term Expires: 2026



Biography

Councilman Michael Balls is a lifelong resident of Saginaw and has dedicated his personal and professional life to the common good of others.  He is a graduate of the Saginaw Public School System and Delta College Apprenticeship Program. Michael and his wife Lois have been married 29 years and have 2 sons, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. 

After 30 years, Councilman Balls retired from Saginaw Steering GM in 2007, and is currently employed at Nexteer Corporation as a Skilled Trades Machine Repair worker.  He became involved in the UAW local 699 Union where he served on the Executive Board for 6 years; the Civil Rights Committee for 12 years; and the Diversity Committee for 4 years.  Councilman Balls also serves on the Board of Directors for the Wanigas Credit Union.  Under his leadership, Wanigas helped to coordinate the first annual Partners Forum on Revitalization for the City of Saginaw to provide awareness of affordable housing programs including down payment and home improvement assistance.

Councilman Balls is actively involved in making a difference in the community.  Among the many organizations that he devotes his time to is the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. He was matched as a Big Brother for the first time in 1990 and now serves on the Board of Directors.  In 2012, Councilman Balls received the “Big Brother of the Year” award from the Saginaw County Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region.   

Councilman Balls has served on City Council since 2013 and is committed to building a stronger Saginaw for residents and local businesses.  Councilman Balls believes in being accountable and socially responsible, principles which have guided him to be a strong voice in support of the community. 



George-Copeland
george m. copeland jr.


Council Member
Term Expires: 2024
 



Biography




Michael-Flores
michael r. flores

Council Member
Term Expires: 2024

 

Biography

Michael R. Flores was born in the City of Saginaw, at St. Luke’s Hospital. Raised by his parents Charles and Rita, Michael attended St. Stephen’s Elementary School and graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central High School. Michael enrolled at Michigan State University, and later proudly graduated from Delta Community College and Saginaw Valley State University, where he majored in Political Science and minored in Criminal Justice. 

While studying as a full-time student at each local institution, Michael worked as a student tutor at Delta’s WRIT Center, and later at SVSU’s Writing Center. During his first semester at SVSU, Michael was appointed to serve in the university’s student government body - SVSU’s Student Association. 

After completing an internship at a congressional district office in 2018, Michael began his career in statewide electoral politics serving in various roles such as a Finance Associate for a congressional campaign, a Field Organizer for Michigan’s One Campaign, a Political Coordinator for our congressional district’s representative, and most recently as a Field Organizer for Community Outreach Group.

In 2016, Michael wrote a short film - Detroit Diamond, which went on to be produced and was welcomed to critical acclaim. Detroit Diamond was shown in festivals around the country and Canada, including in Toronto, Hollywood, Cleveland, New York City, Chicago, Grand Rapids, and Bay City.

Michael was elected to Saginaw City Council in 2020 and is eager to move Saginaw forward during his four-year term. Michael and his son Elliot are proud residents of the Northmoor Neighborhood.



Priscilla-Garcia
Priscilla Garcia


Council Member
Term Expires: 2026

 


Biography


Monique-Lamar-Silvia
monique lamar-silvia


Council Member
Term Expires: 2024

 


Biography


Bill-Ostosh
Bill ostash

Council Member

Term Expires: 2024

 


Biography

Councilman Bill Ostash is a lifelong resident of the Great Lakes Bay Region. He attended Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in 1990. He majored in Computer Science, with a minor in Management. Since 1999 Bill has been employed at Dow Chemical Employees’ Credit Union, his current position is a program team leader.

Since moving to Saginaw in 2004, Bill has been very active in historic preservation of buildings in the City. Councilman Ostash served on the Saginaw Historic District Commission since 2006, serving as Chairperson from 2008 to 2014. While on the Historic Commission, he led the effort to complete Saginaw’s “Preservation Guidelines” to meet the State of Michigan requirements, as well as update the Historic Commission Bylaws. During his tenure on this commission, Councilman Ostash sought to bring awareness of preservation to the city of Saginaw residents, businesses and city staff.

In 2012, Bill moved to the Cathedral District with his husband Kevin. Together they have been restoring and finishing a Queen Anne Victorian built in 1893.

Councilman Ostash has been serving on City Council in 2018, and is excited to keep Saginaw moving forward. He is humbled and honored to be part of the rebirth taking place in the city he loves and calls home.


 Reggie-Williams
Reggie Williams II

Council Member
Term Expires: 2024