Detroit City Council Holds Public Hearing on Mayor Sheffield's Proposed FY 2027 Budget - March 30, 2026

The Detroit City Council held a public hearing on Mayor Mike Duggan's successor Mayor Sheffield's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget on March 30, 2026. Council President James Tate presided, and city official John Corley presented an overview: the proposed general fund budget is $1.55 billion, and the total budget across all city funds is $3 billion. The hearing began in the evening and included more than 60 in-person speakers and 21 online callers, each given 1 minute 45 seconds to comment. Council noted that executive session had already taken place earlier that day to consider amendments to the budget.

Public Comments & Testimony

Immigration and Immigrant Support

• Dozens of speakers, including residents of Districts 2, 5, 6, and 7 and members of the State of Southwest coalition, the People's Assembly, and the Detroit Immigration Task Force, called for $1 million to create a legal defense fund for Detroiters detained by ICE or CBP, $750,000 for a general aid fund to support families affected by ICE abductions, and $250,000 to replace out‑of‑state language interpretation services with local talent (a recurring request from nearly all immigrant‑support speakers).
• Many shared personal stories of family separations, deportations, and the community's fear; they stressed that immigration court does not guarantee legal representation and that these funds are critical for due process and family stability.
• Several speakers also urged full funding for the Office of Immigrant Affairs and continued support for the Detroit ID program.

Housing and Right to Counsel

• Members of the Detroit Right to Counsel Coalition (including the Wisdom Institute, United Community Housing Coalition, Michigan Legal Services, and numerous community doulas) asked the council to fully fund the right to counsel program at $32 million. They noted that before the program, only about 4% of tenants had representation; now the program has dramatically improved outcomes and reduced evictions.
• Speakers described the eviction crisis, linking housing instability to poor health, pregnancy outcomes, and family trauma. They cited 30,000+ filings per year in the past and stressed that continued funding is essential to prevent homelessness.
• A few speakers also requested resources for home repair grants and for supporting black community clubs and neighborhood corridors.

Transit (DDOT) Funding and Improvements

• ATU Local 26 President Shaq Tron Collier and many other transit advocates, union members, and daily riders expressed strong opposition to any reduction in the city's general fund contribution to the Detroit Department of Transportation. While the mayor's budget includes a $30 million net increase, speakers warned that $13‑14 million of that appears to be a backfill or replacement of previous general fund support, not new money.
• The coalition called for doubling DDOT's budget over three years to implement the DDOT Reimagined plan, which would improve frequency, reliability, and wages. Specific requests included more bus shelters and benches, expanded paratransit across city limits, unarmed transit ambassadors, and study of free fares (the QLine and People Mover are already free).
• Several speakers noted that improved transit is critical for jobs, education, and health access, and that state and federal transit dollars must be additive, not used to supplant city funding.

Disability and Accessibility

• Representatives of Detroit Advocates of the Blind and Detroit Disability Power urged the council to protect the Office of Disability Affairs funding ($1.4 million) against a proposed cut of approximately $400,000 (about one‑third of its budget).
• Speakers also requested better transit accessibility: training for paratransit workers, same‑day service improvements, accessible bus stops with landing pads, shelters, and seating.

Water Affordability

• Norell Hemphill (People of Detroit) and others asked for $45–65 million to fund true water affordability programs, noting that enrollment in the Detroit Lifeline Plan dropped from 29,000 to 4,500 as funding ran out. They emphasized water as a public health issue and asked the council to allocate dedicated funds and to resist large‑scale data‑center water withdrawals.

Participatory Budgeting

• Several speakers (Cassandra Floyd, Theo Pride, Joanne Adams, and others) advocated for establishing participatory budgeting across all city districts. They argued it would increase voter turnout, redistribute resources to underinvested neighborhoods, and build community trust.

Other Notable Concerns

• Russ Bellant asked to restore $47,000 stolen from the library in 2021 and warned against data centers tied to Palantir, calling them a threat to democracy.
• Mia Anderson and others criticized the Detroit Land Bank Authority and Building Authority, demanding accountability and reforms.
• Matt Daniels requested simple traffic‑calming measures (daylighting, curb extensions) at intersections where pedestrians have died, arguing that the lack of a dedicated budget for small interventions leaves dangerous sites unfixed.
• Celeste Turner opposed housing development on Rogale Park, asking for budget funds to maintain green spaces without needing to give up parkland.
• Tyson Gersh called for budget transparency and renewed open checkbook, noting that costs like BZA transcripts are hidden in broad contract categories.
• Kendall Cohn asked for clarity on the Office of Sustainability budget, requesting doubling as pledged, and noting that the current staffing is split across departments.

Key Outcomes

• No votes or formal decisions were taken; the meeting was solely a public hearing for testimony.
• Council President Tate reminded attendees that additional opportunities for input exist via email, phone, and future executive sessions.
• The council will continue its budget review in executive sessions and will later adopt the budget, with or without amendments, as provided by the city charter.
• The hearing adjourned without further action.