It&#x27;s largely about massive economic churn. The population of Flint shrunk by about 1&#x2F;2 since 1960 (a good portion of the decrease has happened since 1990). The infrastructure and obligations entered into by a city of 175,000 are now being serviced by a city of 98,000. That would be hard to manage even if there were no mistakes made (and not fully funding pension programs at the time the employee is working is a <i>massive</i> mistake, leaving today&#x27;s smaller population on the hook for yesterday&#x27;s municipal services.).