BY STEVE NEAVLING
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Already shouldering a $155-million deficit, the City of Detroit could spiral further into debt if Mayor Dave Bing isn't successful in challenging U.S. census results that show the city lost a staggering 25% of its population.

The population drop, from 951,000 in 2000 to 713,000 in 2010, means the city stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year at a time when state revenue sharing and property and income taxes continue to nosedive, pension and health care costs are on the rise and the economy is sputtering.

The federal government, for example, gives cities about $1,200 for each resident to finance roads, hospitals, police and health care for lower-income residents, among other services.


Continued at: http://www.freep.com/article/2011032...risis-may-grow