Detroit City Council Budget and Finance Committee Meeting - April 29, 2026

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole (Budget and Finance Committee) convened on April 29, 2026, to address a lengthy agenda including public comment, numerous budget-related memos, a financial report for the seven months ended February 28, 2026, a resolution for fiscal transfers to implement the Executive Organization Plan, a write-off of uncollectible accounts, a risk management quarterly report, a neighborhood enterprise zone certificate, and the re‑establishment of e‑scooter fee schedules. The committee took multiple votes, deferring some items and approving others.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting by unanimous motion with no objections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William M. Davis: Urged the city to explore revenue from entities like Huntington Place (former Cobo Hall) and the Great Lakes Water Authority, stating the lease is “totally inadequate.” Also argued the state should pay Detroit for Belle Isle, noting taxpayers funded it.
• Onika Papa (first name unclear): Criticized the city for not using its surplus to build its own recreation center instead of partnering with the Pistons; complained about “dirty dirt” holes and lack of budget answers.
• Legendary Detroiter (name not fully given): Addressed Councilmember McCampbell and others about personal matters and referenced a DPD case involving Kinesha Coleman, demanding action.
• Tyson Gersh: Expressed frustration over the BZA’s failure to respond to council budget questions and accused council of “performative puppet theater” regarding the transcript cost issue. Noted the BZA sent him a $5,000 bill for a transcript.
• Speaker (phone ending in 039): Did not speak.
• Please listen to member waters (speaker name not given): Stated the nuisance abatement program is illegal, accused the Land Bank of lying, and praised Councilmember Callaway for opposing the $6.9 million David Fink Brassard contract to defend a class‑action lawsuit against the program. Said the program violates the Michigan Constitution and the Land Bank Act.
• Speaker (phone ending in 124): Identified as the previous caller, no additional remarks.

Councilmember Waters thanked the last speaker and indicated the council would request additional information on the nuisance abatement program.

Discussion Items

• Budget Memos (Items 5.1–5.35): The committee processed a long series of budget memos, many from council members. Most were either brought back in one or two weeks for further information, or received and filed. Notable actions include:

  • 5.1 (Whitford‑Callaway memo on principal residence exemptions for LLCs): Brought back in one week.
  • 5.3 (Santiago Romero memo on participatory budget expansion): Brought back in two weeks at the request of Deputy Budget Director Donnie Johnson, who said research was needed.
  • 5.9, 5.10, 5.14, 5.20, 5.23–5.31: Received and filed.
  • 5.11 referred to OCFO instead of LPD.
  • 5.35 (Office of Auditor General follow‑up on payroll audit): Brought back in three weeks.

• 6.1 – Monthly Financial Report: Donnie Johnson (Deputy CFO) and Mr. Nobarr (Deputy Treasurer) presented the report for seven months ended February 28, 2026. Key points:

  • City Council approved the FY26‑27 four‑year financial plan on April 7, with $8.5 million in one‑time changes and $3.6 million recurring.
  • Year‑to‑date, income tax collections are behind projections, but property taxes and wagering taxes are ahead; utility users’ taxes are up due to cold weather.
  • Personnel underspend is largely due to vacancies across general fund operations, not concentrated in police/fire.
  • Projected $2.2 million operating surplus for the fiscal year, plus a $42 million income tax reserve.
  • Cash position remains healthy, though reduced from prior year due to ARPA spending and legacy pension contributions.
  • Councilmembers Johnson, Waters, and Corley asked about recruitment, overtime, collection methods, and the reserve. The report was received and filed.

• 6.2 – Resolution for Fiscal Year 2025‑2026 Transfers for Executive Organization Plan Amendments: Donnie Johnson explained the budget amendment moves resources and employees to new department structures (e.g., homeless services from HRD to HHFS). He answered questions about how amounts were calculated, employee transitions, and oversight. The committee approved the resolution to send to formal session with a recommendation for approval.

• 6.3 – Write‑off of Uncollectible Accounts Receivable: Deputy Treasurer and Revenue Collections Manager Ladonna Johnson presented a $1.1 million write‑off, the final cleanup after previous large write‑offs ($125M in 2024, $75M in 2025). Categories include delinquent personal property tax, misc. accounts receivable, and pre‑bankruptcy items. Councilmembers Waters and Johnson questioned collection methods and timing. The resolution was approved.

• 6.4 – Risk Management Quarterly Report: Attorney Graham Anderson presented the settlements report but noted the law department cannot discuss details in open session. The committee brought the item back in two weeks to allow for written questions.

• 6.5 – Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate (2153 Hubbard St.): Chris Gulag (CPC staff) and petitioner Philip Hilliard presented a rehab project for a single‑family house in the Hubbard Farms NEZ. Hilliard plans to spend $45,000 in rehab and rent at $1,700‑1,900/month. Councilmembers discussed affordability, accessibility, and use of Detroit‑based contractors. The certificate was approved.

• 6.6 – E‑Scooter Fee Schedule and Permit Rankings: Ryan Michael (Deputy Chief of Business Innovation) and Sam Krasenstein (Deputy Director of DPW) presented. Two operators (Lime and Spin) were recommended after a scoring process. Fee adjustments include a 25‑cent trip fee for high‑frequency (downtown) areas and 5 cents elsewhere. Councilmembers Waters and Johnson asked about community engagement, data privacy, and equitable distribution across council districts. The item was approved.

• Miscellaneous Budget Memos (6.7–6.13): Items 6.7, 6.9, 6.10, 6.12, and 6.13 were received and filed; 6.8 and 6.11 were brought back in one week.

Key Outcomes

• Votes
  • Approved consent minutes.
  • Approved 6.2 (EOP transfers) and sent to formal session with recommendation.
  • Approved 6.3 (write‑off of uncollectible accounts).
  • Approved 6.5 (NEZ certificate for 2153 Hubbard St.).
  • Approved 6.6 (e‑scooter fee schedule and permits).
  • Received and filed 6.1, 6.7, 6.9, 6.10, 6.12, 6.13.
  • Brought back items 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.15‑5.19, 5.21‑5.22, 5.32‑5.34, 6.4, 6.8, 6.11 for further action.
• Member Reports:
  • Vice Chair Johnson announced a housing resource fair on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 4401 Connor.
  • Member Waters announced a skill trade task force meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 4‑6 p.m. at Farwell Recreation Center (2711 Auto Drive East).
  • Chair announced a District 7 monthly meeting on April 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Daybo (Wyoming & Grand River).
• Next Steps: The committee adjourned, with several items scheduled for future meetings.