Detroit City Council Budget Executive Session

The Detroit City Council met on April 6, 2026, for an executive session to continue budget proceedings for Fiscal Year 2027. The session focused on reviewing and resolving remaining "pinned" items from the budget spreadsheet, approving funding allocations, and discussing outstanding issues before finalizing Schedule B and a closing resolution. Council and administration staff worked to harmonize a draft budget representing approximately 22 million dollars in changes.

Consent Calendar

• Line item 185 (Planning Department budget): Pen removed without objection.
• Line item 64 (Marijuana revenue transfer): Approved with a one-time 250,000 dollar transfer within the general fund; administration to reflect as a source.
• Line item 71 (My Share child care program): Pen removed; item placed in closing resolution for future consideration.
• Line item 6 (Airport signage): Pen removed; closing resolution approved.
• Line item 59 (Healthy Department – behavioral health): Pen removed; closing resolution language approved.
• Line item 62 (Healthy Department – health studies): Pen removed; closing resolution language approved.
• Line item 111 (Nuisance abatement program): Removed from budget spreadsheet as an LPD assignment, not a budget item.
• Line item 112 (Land bank five-year plan): Pen removed; item moved to closing resolution.
• Line item 194 (Mosquito abatement): Approved with 100,000 dollars one-time general fund; pen removed.
• Line item 240 (City Clerk budget): Removed from spreadsheet without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mia Anderson: Expressed concerns about the city spending 1.4 million dollars to buy 144 properties from the county to shift them to the Land Bank, citing lack of checks and balances and poor property handling. Requested a response regarding the right of first refusal.
• Mr. Love: Urged the council to support creating a Board of Fire Commissioners as provided in the city charter, arguing that oversight of the fire department’s 150 million dollar budget is insufficient.
• Mr. Michael (retired Detroit firefighter): Highlighted that only 21 percent of Detroit Fire Department employees are city residents; suggested an advisory board could address recruitment.
• William M. Davis (online): Called for equity for general fund retirees, noting they took a 4.5 percent pension cut, a 15.5 percent annuity clawback, and lost cost-of-living adjustments, unlike police and fire retirees. Stated most general fund retirees live and vote in Detroit.
• Betty A. Vernon (online, Soda Elsewhere Black Association): Asked for funds to waive land use hearing application fees for organizations that beautify vacant lots and for equitable programs in underserved neighborhoods.
• Online caller (name not provided): Criticized council for budget surpluses, referenced oversight committees, and alleged dishonesty, urging more transparency.

Discussion Items

• Line item 31 (Truck traffic study for AMC site, District 7): Council Member McCampbell requested removal of the 200,000 dollar allocation after the administration stated no additional funding was needed. The item was moved to closing resolution without funding.
• Line item 78 (Office of Veterans Affairs): Approved 500,000 dollars one-time general fund. A proposal to transfer the veteran affairs coordinator from CREO to the Office of Senior Affairs (renamed to Senior and Veteran Affairs) prompted debate. Council Member Waters expressed concern about other staff, objecting to the transfer without clarity. The item remained pinned for further discussion.
• Line item 135 (Media Services): Council President Tate proposed 225,000 dollars one-time general fund for additional recording equipment and noted discussions with the administration. Approved but kept pending a conversation.
• Line item 138 (Boston Edison infrastructure improvements): Council Member Waters requested the item remain pinned to allow a response to the community organization regarding future funding opportunities.
• Line item 148 (Fellowship Chapel Housing Project): Council Member Callaway wanted ARPA dollars considered, arguing the city funds private developers. The item stayed pinned for afternoon talks with the CFO.
• Line item 238 (General Service Retirees – 13th prorated check): Council Member Waters expressed frustration about learning that a plan amendment requires authorization from city council and bankruptcy court. The item was pinned for afternoon discussion with the CFO and Mr. Naglik.
• Line item 28 (Streetscape study): Council Member Benson moved to amend language to a traffic study and add 250,000 dollars one-time street fund. Approved.
• Line item 18 (General Service Retirees prorated check): Kept pinned for legal and financial clarification.
• Line item 200 (Forestry Department FTEs): Removed the reference to 24 FTEs after funding was reduced from 4 million to 1 million; closing resolution language will urge administration to increase FTEs and bring services in-house.
• Line item 224 (Skilled trades program at DWSD): Approved for closing resolution; DWSD will commit to the program for Fiscal Year 2027.

New Motions & Actions

• City Council Administration funding: Council President Tate moved 300,000 dollars recurring for council administration and legislative policy. Approved.
• Office of Sustainability FTE: Council Member Benson moved one FTE (130,000 dollars recurring) for the Office of Sustainability. Approved over administration’s concern about recurring costs.
• Veterans Affairs FTEs: Council Member Waters proposed adding two additional FTEs to the Veterans Affairs office, citing an unfilled position from the previous budget. The item was pinned for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Draft Schedule B (Draft 4): Expected to be released by 2–3 p.m. for afternoon session.
• Closing Resolution: LPD is compiling language from council members; expected draft by afternoon.
• Funding Sources: The administration will present proposed funding sources (both one-time and recurring) in the afternoon session.
• Recurring Changes Total: Approximately 1.97 million dollars recurring in general fund changes; overall council changes to the general fund total about 18.5 million dollars, with non-general fund changes adding about 3.5 million dollars (total ~22 million dollars).
• Public Comment: Closed with three in-person speakers and three online callers.
• Recess: The council recessed at approximately 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with lunch served at 1:00 p.m.