Fewer People in Michigan and Clawson Means Cut Services

A drop in Michigan's population coupled with a loss of Clawson residents in the last 10 years could affect many city services as early as next year, officials said. 

The U.S. Census Bureau released data Tuesday showing a 0.6 percent decrease in Michigan residents. This report comes within a week of the bureau releasing preliminary data that said Clawson's population dropped from 12,732 to 12,175 since 2000-- a 4 percent loss. These figures come from the five-year American Community Survey based on sample data from 2005-2009.

Official population figures won't be out until March.

Population dictates how much state-shared revenue Clawson receives, said City Manager Mark Pollock.

"We are going to have to make a lot of cuts next next year," Pollock said, noting that he expect the city to get fewer outside dollars.

Pollock said residents can expect to see cuts in the , Department of Public Works and . Some of the more direct impacts may be layoffs, wage and benefit concessions and reduced snow plowing and leaf pick-up, he said.

 Though Pollock doesn't anticipate significant cuts, he said the city plans for less state funding each year. The state has been slashing city funding for the last seven years or so, he added.

In the upcoming year, Clawson may lose a "few thousand dollars," Pollock said.

"That won't hurt us too bad," Pollock said. "But I think everybody is going to miss it. It was nice to have."

The decrease in Michigan's population will also result in the state losing one U.S. House seat in the next election in 2012.

Correction: This article was corrected to say the city of Clawson could likely face layoffs next year.