Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole: Mayor Sheffield's First Budget Address for Fiscal Year 2027

On March 9, 2026, Mayor Mary Sheffield presented her first budget address to the Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole, outlining a $1.553 billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2027. The budget emphasizes fiscal responsibility, public safety, youth programs, senior services, and a new department to address homelessness and poverty. The mayor and her team answered questions from council members, and the meeting included public testimony from eight in-person and twelve online speakers.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brother Cunningham urged prayer for DDOT, citing buses running an hour or more late due to breakdowns of new coaches, and provided his contact for DDOT meeting flyers.
• Daryl Stewart, a tenant at the Leland building, described being displaced after a power outage and asked the city to allocate funding to restore power so residents could retrieve belongings.
• Stephen Rimmer, lead organizer for Detroit Tenants Union, criticized the city for failing to hold landlords accountable, stating 90% of properties are non-compliant. He urged the city to take ownership of the Leland building and create a city-owned housing model, and called for investments in truly affordable housing rather than 80% AMI developments.
• Marcellus Bell, a member of the Leland House Tenant Union, stated tenants were displaced due to redevelopment promises that were not kept, and asked for the right to return to affordable luxury apartments as promised.
• Jadante Smith raised issues with DWSD leak credits, DTE rate hikes, property tax delinquency on a church property (four to five years behind), and the Land Bank's failure to follow a policy allowing neighborhood lots to be sold to residents within 500 feet if not sold within six months.
• Charles Miles described a property tax payment misapplied by the city, sent to the county for collections, and stated his case remains unresolved for years. He also criticized over-assessment and millage rates.
• Ronald Foster urged the city to exercise prudence with housing abatements and subsidies, asked the council to define "community," and called for funding to humanize police officers.
• Online caller (ending in 169) read a quote by Helen Keller.
• William M. Davis, a city retiree, highlighted pension cuts (4.5% pension cut, 2.25% COLA cut, 15.5% annuity clawback, totaling 22.25% reduction) and called for restoration of at least the COLA. He also noted that over 4,000 general fund retirees died during the previous administration.
• Betty A. Varner, president of Soda Elsworth Block Association, asked for funding for the Finkel Corridor and for land use hearing fees ($1,500) that block clubs must pay.
• Online caller (ending in 124) asked for clarification on the senior shuttle program, expressed appreciation for neighborhood lighting, and requested a meeting with the mayor.
• Cecily McClellan called for a codified water affordability program for residents below 200% of poverty and echoed retirees' concerns about the bankruptcy clawback.
• Carolyn Hughes questioned the state's issuing of double the allowed liquor licenses, asked for a moratorium and a study, and called for investigations into the Leland House and the disparity in wages between Detroiters and non-Detroiters.
• Renard Monchunski (District 6 resident, Detroit People's Platform) expressed encouragement for transit investments but cautioned that a budget is a moral document and called for results-oriented government.
• Casey Peller (Detroit Disability Power) expressed excitement for accessibility investments, support for 100% of land bank sales going to the housing trust fund, and asked if the accessibility shuttle program would continue the piloted coverage area.
• Tahira Ahmad (African Centered Education of Detroit) praised the budget, asked about the Reparations Task Force and the 100-day agreement with the property tax justice coalition, and called for roof repair and wraparound services for seniors.
• Kevin Tellis supported affordable housing and called for funding for community land trusts and the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act.
• Mr. Roo (online caller) alleged a homicide cover-up by the police and congratulated Mayor Sheffield.
• Jai Singletary (executive director of Woodbridge Neighborhood Development) supported general fund dollars for the life and legacy planning program, in partnership with Sinai Grace CDC and the Village CDC, to provide estate planning workshops.
• Teron Hayes (District 5 resident) expressed disapproval of the ShotSpotter contract renewal, citing 10,000 shots fired with only 100 arrests.
• Tyson Gersh criticized the lack of published transaction-level budget data (Open Checkbook Detroit) and called for transparency to ensure legality of departmental revenues.
• Final caller (online) urged neighborhood meetings on the master plan, asked for removal of speed humps, opposed further solar farms on private land, and called for a fully functioning health department.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's FY 2027 Budget Address: Mayor Sheffield presented the budget, highlighting a new Department of Human Homeless and Family Services (HHFS) that consolidates homeless and human services under one department, with a 10% increase ($9.3 million) in homelessness funding. The budget includes $40 million for HHFS programs (shelter to home ownership continuum), $4 million for affordable housing rehabilitation, $2.2 million (120% increase) for after-school programs, $8 million to clear the sidewalk repair backlog (6,300 requests), and $220 million for DDOT operations ($30 million increase, including $24 million for driver and mechanic wage increases to $25/hour). New funds include a Business Emergency Fund and an aggressive retail strategy. The budget sets a living wage floor of $44,616 for city employees. Public safety investments include $10.8 million for violence intervention, $1 million for ceasefire, expansion of mental health co-response to 24/7, and $1 million for mid-block lighting. The budget also includes $1 million for the dead/dangerous tree program and the beautification grant program, $750,000 for senior food access, $1 million for accessibility shuttle program for seniors and disabled, and $1.5 million for summer youth programs (Occupy the Summer, midnight basketball). The budget book includes poverty alleviation and youth impact statements.
• Economic Outlook (CFO Tanya Staudemeyer): The economy is growing steadily; Detroit's labor force is at its highest since 2010. Blue-collar industries declined in Q4 2025 due to GM Factory Zero transition. The state law requires two revenue estimating conferences. The city's rainy day fund is at twice the required minimum. Potential impact on online sports betting revenue ($6 million annually) due to the Attorney General's lawsuit against prediction markets.
• Budget Details (Acting Deputy CFO Donnie Johnson): The general fund budget is $1.553 billion (2.2% decrease from previous year). All funds budget is $3.047 billion (1.1% decrease). FTEs total 11,471 (increase of 74.19 FTEs, 0.7%). Personnel costs are 56% of the general fund, public health and safety is 46%. The $65.6 million retiree protection fund draw is used as a cushion for legacy pension payments. $50.3 million from prior year surplus and $2.8 million from one-time revenues are being used for community violence intervention, retiree 13th check, public safety overtime, and homeless services.
• Councilmember Questions:
  • President Tate asked about closing the wage gap between Detroiters and non-Detroiters. The mayor cited the living wage proposal and job training initiatives. He also asked about funding for the Brightmoor Framework Plan; the mayor committed to working with him.
  • McCampbell asked about the retail strategy (mayor said Planning Department will present a district-by-district plan) and bus system safety (ambassadors and cameras are included).
  • Callaway noted a 70% decrease in the risk management fund and asked how to prevent DDOT accidents and DPD incidents leading to lawsuits. The mayor responded that higher driver wages will improve training and safety. Callaway also asked about funding to reopen the Office of Early Learning; the mayor said $2 FTEs are proposed to start the office.
  • Johnson asked about using affordable housing funds to bring dark apartment complexes back online. The mayor confirmed the preservation fund can be used for rehabilitation. Johnson also asked about the plan to build 1,000 new single-family homes; the mayor outlined partnerships with HRD and Detroit Land Bank, and exploration of modular and 3D-printed housing.
  • Benson discussed the zero percent interest loan program (funding via reprogramming CDBG funds) and the move of the tangled title (life and legacy planning) program to the Law Department for legal support. He also called for accountability at rec centers regarding behavior.
  • Santiago Romero asked about a truck enforcement unit (mayor said DPD can absorb a pilot using existing vacancies, with potential grants) and funding for the Office of Immigrant Affairs (funded, with a new director starting soon, and moved under the Chief of Health, Human Services, and Poverty Solutions).
  • Waters asked about the impact of the economic downturn; CFO Staudemeyer said the city has a $25 million cushion and may pause hiring if needed. Waters also asked about avoiding duplication between HHFS and the Tenants Rights Commission; the mayor emphasized collaboration.
  • Miller asked about a plan to prioritize tenants against bad landlords overall; the mayor cited the right to counsel and certificate of compliance goals. Miller also discussed her truancy task force and linked it to the mayor's youth programs.
  • Pro Tem Young asked about police mini-stations in senior buildings; the mayor said it is not in this budget but she is open to discussions, and she highlighted increased police presence in senior buildings. He also asked about small business reform steps; the mayor said Phase 2 will reduce steps "as low as possible" and phase one focused on restaurants.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during this preliminary session.
• Next Steps: The council will conduct budget hearings and executive sessions over the coming weeks to review the budget line by line. The mayor's team (CFO, budget director, chief of staff) will remain available for questions. The budget process continues with the goal of approving a balanced budget for fiscal year 2027.
• 13th Check for Retirees: The budget includes a pro-rated 13th check: approximately $475 for General Retirement System retirees and $660 for Police and Fire retirees.