Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee Meeting - September 17, 2025

The Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee met on September 17, 2025, to discuss several fiscal items including the lockboxing of elected officials' budgets for the election year, a detailed financial report for fiscal year 2025, the status of council's closing resolutions, and a proposed ordinance to ensure financial stability during election years. Public comment included concerns about elections, city services, tax fees, and retiree matters.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Rue: Alleged that the 2025 Detroit election was "cheated" by Gina Avery Walker and Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, and claimed that the mayor, city council, school board, and police commissioners were also cheated in. He urged that they not run the 2025 election.
• Betty A. Barner (President of De Soda Elsewhere Block Association): Advocated for her community and shared information about a seniors program (60+) offering free services such as branch removal, fuse replacement, door locks, window screens, and security doors. Provided contact: 313-579-1000 ext. 301.
• Cunningham: Expressed concerns about D-DOT bus services taking longer on routes (Jefferson, etc.) and urged attendees to share information about an upcoming D-DOT meeting. He also gave out bus tickets and asked for kindness towards those waiting long periods.
• Carolyn Hughes: Questioned the start of public comment before a quorum was present (the chair clarified it is allowed). Raised concerns about foreclosure programs, homeless services worsening, and unexplained special fees on tax bills. Also noted that garbage pickup fees appear to be increasing despite earlier assurances.
• Ms. Warwick: Expressed concern about being dropped from the public comment queue. Criticized the budget for not funding people affected by "unconstitutional solar takings" while budgeting over $5 million for Farmington Hills attorneys. Also commended Coleman Young II for speaking out about Charlie Kirk, and contrasted legal immigration with illegal immigration.
• William M. Davis: Criticized Mayor Duggan's proposal to use surplus funds for declining tax revenues, arguing that tax abatements for millionaires and billionaires reduce revenue. Predicted a campaign against Duggan if retirees are not helped, and noted that Detroit's population rank dropped from 18th to 26th largest city under Duggan. Called for clawbacks on developers who fail to deliver, not on retirees.
• Not That Karen Winston: City of Detroit retiree, opposed clawbacks of retiree money and urged clawbacks on developers who do not fulfill their obligations. Also argued that the pension board mishandled funds, not retirees. Opposed illegal immigration but welcomed legal immigrants. Called for city council to change committees every two years as per the charter.

Discussion Items

• 5.1 – Status of Office of CFO: Allocation of Elected Officials Budget for FY26: Donnie Johnson (Acting Deputy CFO and Budget Director) presented a resolution to lockbox 50% of each elected official's office budget (including council president's support budget) until after the election and start of the new council term. This ensures newly elected officials have six months of budget available. Councilmember Young confirmed that current council members are on track to stay under 50% spending. The committee voted to send to formal with a recommendation to approve.
• 5.2 – Financial Report for 12 Months Ended June 30, 2025: Donnie Johnson explained drivers of surplus in professional contractual services (unspent flood response reserves), operating supplies (lower-than-expected software licensing costs and as-needed contracts), and other expenses (workforce investment fund not needed due to vacancies, and interfund transfers). No city services were impacted. The report was received and filed.
• 5.3 – Legislative Policy Division Report on Status of 2024-2026 Priorities: Renee Short presented a detailed report on the status of council's 119 closing resolutions. Highlights: 77% of items have been acted on (open or closed); 46 items were funded in the FY25 budget. Accomplishments included funding for residential cyber repair, tree trimming, Office of Disability, Office of Immigrant Affairs, paid parental leave, reparations task force, nurse navigation, etc. Council also secured $9.5 million in ARPA funds for council-directed use and $14.5 million in OCFO reallocated funds, with $5 million for homeless initiatives. Items under consideration include behavioral health training, child care, Motown Museum, retiree rainy day fund, police mini stations, and more. Councilmember Young asked about the 30-minute neighborhoods progress and DPD mini stations; Ms. Short suggested further discussion with DPD. The report was received and filed.
• 5.4 – Councilmember Benson’s Memorandum re Detroit Public Library Foundation Information: Due to potential litigation regarding the Detroit Public Library Foundation, the committee voted to bring this item back to a date to be determined, at the request of Chief Officer Antonio Brown.
• 6.1 – Proposed Ordinance to Amend Chapter 17 (Budget Allocation to Elected Offices): This ordinance provides for financial stability of elected offices during election years. It was already discussed in item 5.1. The committee voted to send the ordinance to formal for introduction and setting of a public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5.1: Approved to send to formal session with recommendation to approve (motion passed without objection).
• Item 5.2: Received and filed (motion passed without objection).
• Item 5.3: Received and filed (motion passed without objection).
• Item 5.4: Tabled to a date to be determined (motion passed without objection).
• Item 6.1: Sent to formal for introduction and public hearing (motion passed without objection).
• Meeting Adjourned: At the call of the chair without objection.