When the City of Ann Arbor can provide a service for less--based on accurate cost comparisons – or even generate a profit delivering a service, the City should consider delivering that service. However, any service that does not meet these criteria is a reasonable object of consideration for privatization. In Ann Arbor the following three publicly-delivered services – solid waste collection, solid waste disposal and parking structure operation/maintenance/ownership – have fallen into an "emergency" state. The solid waste fund is running a $1.7 million deficit. The landfill is essentially closed, awaiting millions of dollars' worth of environmental contamination clean up and DNR approval for expansion. Ann Arbor's Transportation Director, James Valenta, has agreed that restoration of two of the City's parking structures is not worth the cost and that the structures should be torn down and rebuilt at a cost of $8.9 million. Temporary repairs to keep those structures open for three to five years, will cost an estimated $1 million. Repairs of two other structures will cost an estimated $7.8 million over five years, financed through revenue bonds and increased parking fees. [8] Meanwhile, the future health of the downtown's retailing concentration remains in question pending Jacobson's concern with improved parking safety and space. Privatization may not be the answer to all of Ann Arbor's budget woes, but privatization of these three services could save this city millions of dollars.