Expanded Budget Finance and Audit Standing Committee - March 31, 2026
Expanded Budget Finance and Audit Standing Committee Meeting - March 31, 2026
The committee met to review and take action on FY2027 budget line items from a spreadsheet, continuing from the previous day. The meeting was scheduled to end by 3:00 PM to accommodate the State of the City address. Members moved items to closing resolution, pinned them for further discussion, or removed them, with significant debate on funding for the Charles H. Wright Museum, DDOT transit, and affordable housing. Public comments were heard at the end.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tyson Gersh: Expressed confusion about the public comment process and lack of attached documents. Raised concerns about the BZA budget, alleging math errors in caseload charts and an unexplained tripling of revenue in FY2024 coinciding with unauthorized fee increases for transcripts.
- William M. Davis: Requested that remaining ARPA funds be used to provide District 7 with at least one fully functioning recreational center, noting the district currently has only one library.
- Beverly A. Varner (President, Soda Elsewhere Black Association): Urged Mayor Sheffield to waive the $1,500 land use hearing fee for Black clubs, associations, and 501(c)(3) organizations. Thanked Councilmember Johnson for suggesting the neighborhood beautification grant but noted the application is difficult.
- Owner Papa: Commented that comparisons between Detroit and Birmingham must consider school systems. Questioned the two-year moratorium on data centers (item 152) and expressed concern about bonding with DESC (item 154).
Discussion Items
- Line 119 (Charles H. Wright Museum capital improvements, $7.788M): Councilmember Benson moved to approve, but Councilmember Johnson noted the lack of resources, warning it would defund the fleet replacement plan for FY2027. The item was pinned for deeper conversation with the administration.
- Line 120 (Charles H. Wright Museum operating support, additional $700K): Pro Tem Young requested a pin to explore other funding sources, as the funds were not available.
- Line 128 (DDOT general fund support): Councilmember McCampbell moved to closing resolution. Discussion ensued with Councilmember Santiago-Romero questioning the reduction in general fund contribution. OCFO Johnson explained that total DDOT funding increased via MTF transfer, and that the department could not absorb a large increase immediately due to capacity. Councilmember McCampbell pinned the item for possible additional funding.
- Line 133 (Fellowship Chapel housing project, $2M one-time): Councilmember Callaway moved to closing resolution and proposed using ARPA funds. OCFO Johnson stated that general fund would not be legally eligible and that ARPA may not allow new projects. Councilmember Callaway cited previous ARPA use for parks. The item was pinned.
- Line 142 (Land use fees): Councilmember Waters moved to closing resolution, seeking reduced fees for community organizations. OCFO Johnson explained fees are calculated to offset costs. Councilmember Johnson suggested using neighborhood beautification grant funds, which was noted as a possibility.
- Line 144 (Green Grocer Program, $525K): Pro Tem Young requested $525K one-time funding to pilot eight stores. Approved without objection.
- Line 145 (DEGC support for card events, $50K): Councilmember Benson moved to approve. Councilmember Callaway asked if funds could be used outside downtown; Benson noted DEGC funds were used for Avenue of Fashion events. Approved.
- Line 152 (Data center regulations): Councilmember Benson moved to approve language for closing resolution, including a six-month study and moratorium. Approved.
- Line 155 (Skill trades funding, $250K recurring): Councilmember Waters moved to restore funding and transfer from DESC to DWSD. Approved after discussion.
- Line 156 (Dining with confidence, amended to $200K): Councilmember Benson moved to reduce from $500K to $200K one-time, training 330 residents. Approved.
- Line 157 (B Next program, $1M removed): Council President Tate moved to roll over remaining funds instead of adding $1M. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Moved to closing resolution (language to be drafted): Items 117, 118, 131, 133, 135, 139, 140, 141, 142, 127, 129, 132, 146, 147, 152, 153, 154, and 128 (with pin for possible additional funding).
- Pinned for further discussion: Items 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128 (by McCampbell), 130, 132 (by Benson initially), 134, 136, 137, 138, 146 (dollar amount), 148, 149.
- Removed: Items 121, 143, 150, 151.
- Approved with specific funding: Item 144 ($525K one-time), Item 145 ($50K one-time), Item 155 ($250K recurring, moved to DWSD), Item 156 ($200K one-time), Item 157 (roll over remaining funds, no new $1M).
- Legal concern noted: Item 133 (Fellowship Chapel) general fund contribution deemed ineligible; ARPA exploration requested but not guaranteed.
- Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM, to resume at 10:00 AM on April 1, 2026. Councilmember Benson suggested a consent agenda process for items moved to closing resolution to speed future sessions.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, I thought you did. Because we motion for it. We'll see. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the expanded budget finance and audit standing committee for today, March 31st, 2026. Madam Clerk, good afternoon. Please call the roll. Absolutely. Councilmember Scott Benson. Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell. Councilmember Reneta Miller. Member Miller has sent the memo indicating that she would not be here due to a personal situation and her absence is excused. Clerk will note. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Present. Council President Pro Tem Coleman Young. Council President James Tate. Here. Mr. President, we thank you so much. We have a quorum, which means we're now in session. This is our we're here for the purposes of the executive session. But before we go into the numbers, colleagues, we need to identify what time we're going to wrap this up by today, noting that we are going to the uh state of the city. We were requested to be there by 5 30, 5 45. So I'm thinking 4 o'clock, and I don't know if you all have to go home get gussied up, but 4 o'clock sounds pretty good. We'd like to go on the card. 4 o'clock it is. Mr. Court with discussion. I'll move three o'clock. All right, well, you might take a little longer to get notified. Why rush ourselves? Let's rush ourselves the table tomorrow and have the ability to get there in a timely fashion today. So is it three o'clock? I put it out there. So is it three? Motion for three. There's a motion for three. Why would you do that? Don't go halfway with me. Member Callaway say look at that face. Don't go halfway with me. All right. I know that's that's what I said. I want it. Oh, you want three?
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