Our Progress & The Road Ahead

This page is designed to keep you updated on both the accomplishments we’ve achieved together and the challenges we continue to face as a community. I believe in being open about the wins we can celebrate and the areas where hard work still lies ahead. By sharing both sides, I hope to show not only how far we’ve come but also where we’re headed and how each of us can play a role in building Holly’s future.

Progress So Far

Financial Responsibility and Transparency

  • Established the First Responder Special Assessment, balanced the budget, and prevented state takeover.

  • Hired a qualified village manager, clerk treasurer, and deputy finance officer to strengthen leadership, improve operations, and ensure fiscal accountability.

  • Conducted public audits and implemented cost-saving measures.

  • Updated fee schedules and reviewed tap-in rates and user charges to reduce costs for residents and ease the water burden.

  • Developed a purchasing policy for the Downtown Development Authority.

Public Safety Enhancements

  • Expanded police coverage to better protect our community and surrounding municipalities.

  • Promoted Chief Watson and Assistant Fire Chief Nitschke.

  • Approved the purchase of a new ladder truck and police vehicles.

  • Placed resource officers in schools to improve student safety.

Planning for the Future

  • Exploring cityhood as a potential way to reduce taxes.

  • Directed the Planning Commission to address short-term rentals and create a comprehensive capital improvement plan.

  • Developed legacy documents to ensure continuity and smooth leadership transitions.

  • Created the Millpond Committee to assess and plan for the future of Stiff’s Millpond.

  • Advanced infrastructure improvements with a focus on sustainability.

Community Improvements

  • Upgraded parks with contributions from local businesses.

  • Approved a new administration building, completed for $500,000 in material costs with donated labor — now valued at $2.1 million — adding to our assets and securing village operations.

  • Improved waste management, saving $50,000 annually.

  • Upgraded pumphouses and maintained waterways and sewer systems.

Open and Responsive Government

  • Holding regular town halls to hear residents' concerns.

  • Appointed diverse, ethical board members, conducted ethics reviews, and removed or replaced members when necessary.

  • Renegotiated Teamster contracts, securing better terms and stronger organizational partnerships.

  • Introduced the Key to the Village and Citizen Recognition programs to foster community pride and honor outstanding contributions.

Challenges

Financial Pressure and Infrastructure

  • Exploring ways to minimize rising costs as they continue to put pressure on the budget, making it harder to deliver quality services without increasing the burden on taxpayers.

  • Exploring grants and revenue generation to repair and maintain roads, sidewalks, water systems, and public spaces as they require ongoing investment that stretches beyond the limits of our budget.

Water and the Millpond

  • Maintaining our waste and waterways as much of Holly’s water infrastructure is more than 50 years old, and while village water meets all state and federal safety standards, aging systems and private service lines can still create challenges for residents.

  • Exploring grants and outside funding to repair and maintain the millpond, including possible oversight by Oakland County. 

Growth and Development

  • Planning growth to bring opportunities requires careful planning to protect the character of the village.

  • Pursuing cityhood and other avenues to determine what is in the long-term best interest of our residents.

Serving Residents at Every Stage of Life

  • Creating a community center for families and young people who want more recreation and entertainment opportunities close to home.

  • Creating safe, accessible spaces and a dedicated center to support the needs of our senior community. 

  • Meeting these needs will require thoughtful planning, sustainable funding, and strong partnerships.

Community Involvement

  • Heavily relying on a small group of volunteers and public servants who already give generously of their time and energy is not sustainable. 

  • Overburdening those who currently serve is a risk without broader participation.

  • Encouraging more residents to step forward is essential to keeping our community strong.

Transparency and Accountability

  • Keeping government open and accessible requires constant effort to ensure every voice is heard and every decision is made with transparency.

  • Interviewing new attorneys and auditing agencies will help strengthen fiscal responsibility and enhance public trust in village finances.

Holly on the Michigan Mitten.