Mayor to Deliver State of the City Address on Tuesday

Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison will deliver the annual State of the City Address on Tuesday at the Emagine theater in Royal Oak.

Ellison said his address will discuss “where we need to go and what the next step is.”

“It tells where we’re at and where we’re going,” Ellison said.

It will also address some tough topics, he said, like how the city is getting by with reduced revenue.

“I’ll be honest, there’s some bad things in it and some good things in it,” he said. “We’ve cut back and the services aren’t what they used to be but they’re still good.”

There was no State of the City Address last year, Ellison said, as uncertainty surrounding pending budget issues made it difficult to offer definitive comments. This year, with the city’s two-year budget sessions completed and changes being finalized by state lawmakers in Lansing, Ellison said he has a better idea of where the city is headed.

The event will take place noon-2 p.m. as part of a Royal Oak Rotary Club luncheon. Tickets were available for $11 at the . For those unable to attend, City Manager Don Johnson said the speech will be videotaped and will appear on the Royal Oak website after the event. For more information or to inquire about ticket availability, call (248) 246-3000.

The Royal Oak Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of South Oakland County in Royal Oak. Visit www.rotaryclubofroyaloak.com for more information.