Oiling the Contracting Skids

DETROIT —In late July, former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young submitted a proposal to the Detroit police chief on behalf of himself and several former city employees. According to the plan, Young’s group would contract with the city to change the oil in Detroit’s 500 police cars at each of the city’s 13 precincts for about $300,000. The city now spends $1 million annually for its Department of Public Works to change the oil at one central location, which takes both the cars and the officers who drive them out of commission for several hours.

The Young proposal offers a savings of 70% and promises to save time as well. Incumbent Mayor Dennis Archer, who pledged during his 1993 campaign not to privatize any service, is considering the proposal but has expressed concern about any city worker losing work or his job through contracting out.