March 6, 2026
Dear Members of our City Council,
As Harbor Springs enters a period of administrative transition, this is an appropriate time to reaffirm the responsibilities within our council-manager form of government. The City Council sets policy and legislative direction. The City Manager implements those policies and oversees the day-to-day operations of the city. The direction you set will determine whether municipal resources are focused on the long-term needs of residents or diverted toward less essential priorities.
Many residents have closely followed the city’s policy discussions over the past several years. What has become increasingly clear is the need to refocus municipal priorities on the maintenance and resilience of Harbor Springs’ core infrastructure.
Several City Council members have already raised important perspectives that could serve as a constructive starting point.
Mayor Tom Graham has often emphasized the importance of treating city operations with the same accountability and oversight found in well-run organizations. His view that city boards and projects should regularly report on results and expenditures reflects a practical approach to municipal management and stewardship of public resources.
Councilperson Wendy Reeve has consistently repeated the need to prioritize maintenance of existing infrastructure—sidewalks, waterfront facilities, and other essential assets—before committing and investing in new amenities or expansion projects. Her focus on fiscal discipline and careful evaluation of capital priorities reflects the concerns many residents share.
These perspectives point to a clear and practical principle: before expanding amenities or undertaking new initiatives, the city must first secure the reliability and sustainability of its essential systems. Unfortunately, several current initiatives appear to move in the opposite direction.
The newly initiated Streetscape project and other Downtown Development Authority (DDA) beautification initiatives appear misaligned with more urgent priorities facing Harbor Springs residents. These projects draw upon general fund resources that may be needed for long-term infrastructure resilience. The maintenance costs associated with these improvements will also continue long after construction is complete, potentially limiting the city’s ability to address critical needs such as electricity security and storm preparedness.
At the same time, the city’s continued reliance on Beckett & Raeder International (BRi) as a planning consultant has raised legitimate concerns among residents. Previous zoning and planning initiatives associated with the firm have often produced proposals that the community felt were insufficiently vetted or lacked broad public support. As the city moves forward, it may be prudent for the Council to evaluate whether alternative planning partners could better facilitate transparent, community-driven planning.
Discussion in the community also asks if it is time to reconsider the direction of park development. Parks are one of Harbor Springs’ greatest assets, but their primary purpose should serve residents rather than function as expanded tourism attractions. Continued park expansion can increase maintenance costs and divert funding away from essential infrastructure needs. There is a financial formula in place to budget this when parks are upgraded with maintenance required improvements.
In light of these concerns, many residents feel that the city’s priorities should shift toward strengthening foundational systems — including sidewalks, electrical reliability, storm preparedness, and other critical infrastructure. The recent ice storm demonstrated how vulnerable our electrical systems can be. Ensuring the security and resilience of Harbor Springs’ electrical infrastructure should be among the highest priorities for the next City Manager and City Council.
Harbor Springs is a small community with limited resources. The perspectives already expressed by members of the current Council — emphasizing stewardship of public assets, fiscal responsibility, and infrastructure maintenance — offer a constructive foundation on which new leadership can build.
We respectfully encourage the City Council to guide the city toward policies that strengthen infrastructure, preserve Harbor Springs character, and ensure that public resources are directed first toward the needs of the residents who call this community home.
Sources
International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The Council-Manager Form of Government.
ICMA explains that in the council-manager system, the elected council sets policy and legislative direction, while the city manager is responsible for implementing those policies and overseeing day-to-day municipal operations.
National Civic League. Model City Charter (9th Edition).
The Model City Charter describes the council-manager system as one in which the council establishes policy priorities and the professional manager administers municipal services and operations.
Michigan Municipal League. Handbook for General Law Village and City Officials.
The handbook notes that Michigan city councils establish policy and fiscal priorities, while the city manager carries out those policies and manages the administration of city departments.
International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Effective Working Relationships Between Councils and Managers.
ICMA emphasizes that clear policy direction from the council and professional administrative execution by the manager are essential for effective local governance.