In Pursuit #11 | Mike Vichich & Glenn Caldwell — Running a Township: Staffing, Unions & Culture

Glenn Caldwell shares how Northville Township funds $45M projects, negotiates 5 unions, and runs lean government without raising taxes.Visit pursuit.usTimestamps:0:00 Intro0:35 Glenn's Origin Story: Co-op at 16, Straight to Government3:26 The Arc of Township Budgets: Pre-Recession to Recovery4:41 How a Township's Budget Works: Revenue Sources5:16 Shared Services & Intergovernmental Agreements9:02 Roads, the County, and Navigating What You Don't Own11:28 Public Works: Water, Sewer & the $4M Water Tower14:56 Procurement Philosophy: Why Low Bid Isn't Always Right17:13 Township Governance: Charters, Ordinances & State Law18:29 The Central Services Complex: $45M Without Raising Taxes21:55 Capital Budgeting & the 6-Year Improvement Plan29:05 Leadership Philosophy: Hire Well, Then Get Out of the Way31:37 Managing Directors: Weekly 1-on-1s & Accountability34:35 Five Unions: How Northville Negotiates Without Attorneys42:41 Discipline & Progressive Counseling in Local Government45:54 Leadership Transitions & Staff Turnover47:59 Public Sector Incentives: What Actually Drives Performance50:46 The Government Value Proposition: Pensions, Benefits & Balance52:32 How Government Pensions Actually Work55:06 AI in Local Government: Efficiency, Governance & Data Privacy