Detroit City Council Budget Committee Meeting – February 11, 2026

The Detroit City Council Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee convened on February 11, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. (end of public comment) to discuss neighborhood enterprise zone applications, a payroll audit, and other city business. No formal agenda or minutes were available. The committee heard public testimony on tax abatements, block club funding, and zoning board practices.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William M. Davis (Commissioner): Argued the city should extract more revenue from Little Caesars Arena, noting that taxpayers subsidize services for tax-exempt facilities. He proposed a cross-section of employees and retirees to recommend cost-saving measures and suggested that city vehicle use be a perk only for residents.
• Betty A. Varner (President, DeSoda Ellsworth Block Association): Asked the council to allocate budget funds to help small black clubs and associations pay the $1,500 fee for a land-use hearing. Her group purchased lots to expand a community park but faces financial barriers. She also publicized DTE loans up to $200,000 for small businesses and churches.
• Katie Marino Elst (Director, Junior Block Club; Burns Seneca Fisher Block Club): Advocated for streamlined process to avoid attending multiple daytime meetings, and requested increased grants directly to block clubs for alley maintenance, mowing, and tree cutting. She noted that block clubs know their boundaries and could provide faster, sustainable results.
• Carolyn Hughes: Stated that CDBG funds should be distributed equitably across districts rather than concentrated in one area. She criticized the lack of development in District 7, questioned NEZ tax abatements, and called for waivers of fees for Detroiters.
• Cunningham (final caller): Reported distributing hand warmers and bus tickets donated by Detroit Disability Power and anonymous donors to homeless individuals waiting at bus stops.

Discussion Items

• 5.1 – Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Certificate for 250 Elliott Street: A proposal to rehabilitate a residential building into six rental units. Discussed last week and brought back to committee for further analysis. Councilmember Johnson noted miscommunication and moved to bring it back in one week. Motion passed without objection.
• 6.1 – Office of Auditor General Payroll Performance Audit Report: Requested to be brought back in two weeks. Motion passed without objection.
• 6.2 – NEZ Certificate for New Single-Family House at 4475 17th Street (Core City): Petitioner Brooke Dexter and Ryan Kayan (Folding Shed LLC) proposed a 2,272 sq. ft., two-story home with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, estimated cost $750,000 ($330/sq. ft.). The NEZ would reduce property taxes for 15 years. Councilmembers questioned the high cost relative to the area. Petitioners explained they are committed to long-term residency (multi‑generational), use sustainable materials, and plan to hire local contractor JJ’s Houses. Discussion noted that previous NEZ projects in the area were similar. The motion to send to formal session with a recommendation to approve passed without objection.
• 6.3 – Request to Speak by Wayne Ramakan Senior: Brought back in one week; council office has not yet heard from him.
• 6.4 – Centralized Fee Schedule Memorandum (Councilmember Sante Algaromero): Brought back in two weeks without objection.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: 6.2 (NEZ certificate for 4475 17th Street) forwarded to formal session with recommendation to approve.
• Deferred: 5.1 (250 Elliott Street) – brought back in one week for further discussion.
• Deferred: 6.1 (payroll audit report) – brought back in two weeks.
• Deferred: 6.4 (fee schedule) – brought back in two weeks.
• The committee adjourned with no further business.