Detroit City Council Budget Hearing - April 2, 2026

On April 2, 2026, the Detroit City Council convened in executive session to continue deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Councilmembers reviewed proposed changes to Mayor Sheffield's budget, debated funding priorities, heard a presentation from the Department of Elections on a $7.6 million request for new voting equipment, and took numerous votes on line items. The session included public comment and was recessed until 2:00 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caller (name not given) thanked Councilmember McCampbell for acknowledging District 7 needs and Councilmember Waters for supporting neighborhood block clubs. They urged that community funds be used for neighborhood purposes rather than large projects and appreciated Mr. Johnson's recognition that neighborhoods must be involved.
• Tyson Gersh raised concerns about the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) contract transparency and a $5,000 transcript charge, asserting the charter requires contracts to be public. He also stated he was told he could not speak to HRD without going through council.
• Betty A. Varner thanked Councilmember Waters for advocating for neighborhoods and Councilmember Callaway for supporting them. She expressed appreciation for the proposed study of other cities' neighborhood empowerment efforts but asked what help is available now for projects planned in 2027.
• Caller ending in 482 alleged irregularities at the Detroit Department of Elections, claiming ballot fraud in 2020-2024 elections and calling for Director Gina A.B. Walker to be summoned.
• William M. Davis complained that he must travel 3.1 miles to vote at a location outside his district, passing a dozen polling sites. He urged that no one should have to travel more than a mile to vote and that the department should encourage voting, not suppress it.
• Caller (name not given) asked about security for absentee ballots: whether voted ballots are stored in rooms with two locks, closed-circuit cameras, and alarms visible to the public. They also questioned the need for a state uniformity law on voting machines.
• Mia stated the Department of Elections' budget should reflect voter turnout, which she called insignificant given the department's size (over 100 people). She criticized lack of signage and information about the upcoming primary.

Discussion Items

• Budget Overview and Council Changes: Budget Director Corley presented an updated spreadsheet showing council changes totaling approximately $27.6 million in general fund (about 2% of the budget). He noted the administration's budget already addressed many council priorities, including homeless services, senior programs, Motor City Match, and public safety.
• Police and Fire Overtime: CFO Johnson explained that $8.7 million in one-time overtime ($3 million fire, $5.7 million police) is intended to step down overtime levels as staffing improves. Councilmember Benson confirmed staffing levels support this reduction.
• Revenue Discussion: Pro Tem Young raised concerns about revenue leakage from non-resident income tax, employer withholding, and corporate income tax, suggesting recovery could yield additional funds. Johnson responded that state law prevents the city from assuming revenue increases in the budget; any gains from enforcement would be reflected in future revenue conferences.
• Department of Elections Presentation (11:30 a.m.): Chris Maduca, Chief of Staff, and George Jesus, Deputy Director, presented the department's budget and a supplemental request for $7.6 million to purchase new voting equipment (tabulators, ADA-compatible devices) to replace expiring contracts. The state's 2017 contract ends in February 2027; new federal standards require updated machines. Maduca noted the governor has signaled support but legislative approval is uncertain. The $7.6 million estimate covers approximately 650 devices across precincts, early vote centers, and absentee operations. CFO Johnson stated that funding this request is the administration's top priority from the income tax reserve surplus, likely available later in 2026. Councilmembers asked about: early voting center plans (14 days vs. 9), accessibility for voters with visual impairments and language access (translation services, bilingual poll workers), youth engagement in schools and universities, and preventive maintenance using AI for cost savings.
• Line Item Amendments and Votes: Councilmembers moved, amended, or removed funding for numerous items:
  • Line 66: Hospital violence intervention program moved to closing resolution; $300,000 removed.
  • Line 191: Food restoration pilot program pinned pending grant discussion; amount reduced from $1 million to $500,000.
  • Lines 198/199: Combined with $4.5 million one-time for Brennan Recreation Area improvements (park upgrades and new building).
  • Line 51: $500,000 removed for fire capital fund study; narrative changed to capital investment study; administration to fund from current budget.
  • Line 196: Security for recreation centers reduced from $1 million to $300,000 recurring.
  • Line 63: $75,000 for safe storage of cannabis moved from general fund to marijuana revenue fund; approved.
  • New line item: $25,000 one-time for "You and Me Vape Free" program through Authority Health.
  • Line 83: Lead encapsulation funding amended to $600,000 one-time.
  • Line 75: Veterans affairs $500,000 one-time pinned for afternoon session; closing resolution language added.
  • Line 94: Tenant rights counseling amended to $16,200 recurring and approved.
  • Line 212: Name changed to "Nutrition and Wellness"; kept pinned.
  • Addition: $25,000 one-time to Department of Neighborhoods for a study of other cities' neighborhood empowerment programs.
  • Line 195: Moved to closing resolution urging administration to increase FTEs for fire department.
• Other Items Discussed: Councilmember Benson waited for administration feedback on line 78. Councilmember Santiago Romero removed line 182 (blight ticket education) and combined it with line 7. Councilmember McCampbell removed line 11 and moved line 96 to closing resolution. Councilmember Johnson unpinned lines 179 and 226 (already in closing resolution). Councilmember Waters proposed a study for neighborhood association land use fees, resulting in the $25,000 addition. Councilmember Callaway discussed the Fort Wayne feasibility study ($40,000 to be handled by administration) and gazebo restoration at Hyde Park ($7,500, administration).

Key Outcomes

• Votes Taken: Multiple motions were approved by voice vote without objection:
  • Line 66: moved to closing resolution; $300,000 removed.
  • Line 191: pinned, amount reduced to $500,000.
  • Lines 198/199: combined, $4.5 million one-time approved.
  • Line 51: $500,000 removed, closing resolution amended.
  • Line 196: amended to $300,000 recurring and approved.
  • Line 63: funding source changed to marijuana revenue fund, approved.
  • New line: $25,000 for "You and Me Vape Free" program approved.
  • Line 83: amended to $600,000.
  • Line 75: pinned for further discussion; closing resolution language added.
  • Line 94: amended to $16,200 recurring and approved.
  • Line 212: name change approved.
  • $25,000 for Department of Neighborhoods study approved.
  • Line 195: moved to closing resolution.
  • Several items removed or unpinned (lines 11, 96, 120, 156, 179, 182, 226, 227).
• Elections Request: Pinned for further discussion; no immediate funding decision. CFO Johnson committed to seeking funding from income tax reserve surplus later in the fiscal year.
• Next Steps: Councilmembers are to submit final monetary changes by Monday afternoon (April 6) and provide closing resolution language. Budget schedules A and B to be prepared by staff. The session recessed until 2:00 p.m.