Taylor City Council Meeting Approves Data Center Moratorium and FY25 Audit: January 20, 2026

The Taylor City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Taylor Municipal Building (23555 Goddard Rd., Taylor, MI). The meeting ran from the scheduled 6:30 p.m. start to approximately 7:04 p.m. Council Chairman Charley Johnson presided. The council unanimously approved routine appointments and consent items, received the FY2025 audit from Plante Moran, and adopted a 12-month moratorium on data center applications. The only split vote was a 5-2 roll call to receive the 2025 Compensation Commission determination.

Consent Calendar

• Mayor's appointments (5.1-5.4): Re-appointed Barbara Kotarsky to the Aging Commission (2-year term to Jan. 20, 2028); re-appointed Sean McGuckin to the Downtown Development Authority (4-year term to Jan. 20, 2030); appointed Gorden Daisy as Zoning Board of Appeals alternate (3-year term to Jan. 20, 2029); and appointed Anthony Sauter to the TIFA and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (4-year term to Jan. 20, 2030). Sauter was sworn in after the vote.
• Consent agenda (6.1-6.7): Approved unanimously. This included receiving/filing the December 2025 Budget Performance Report; receiving/filing the December 2025 Paid Invoice Report (1,380 invoices totaling $6,657,789.85); approving Emergency Training Solutions ACLS/BLS training up to $8,100; approving one firefighter to attend Fire Inspector Training up to $1,067; receiving/filing the Planning Commission's 2023/2024 annual report; approving the MISS DIG 811 membership/maintenance fee up to $17,682; and authorizing the Mayor to sign Elliott's Amusements' carnival contract for the 2026 Taylor Summer Festival.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Historical Commission: A representative presented the 2025 annual activity report, describing events and noting Taylor artifacts on display at the Guardian Building until Feb. 28, 2026.
• Holly Ivy Couch: Reported LED lights installed by a neighbor at Act One Condos have been shining into her windows since September 2025, said she has blankets/sheets up, and stated she lost a sale of her condo; she thanked Councilmember Chris Clark for looking into the matter and urged others to use city ordinances to protect privacy.
• Linda Gurniak: Said her vehicle was towed within 45 minutes on Dec. 17, 2025, from a private lot despite a handicap placard and no visible no-parking signs; she had made an incident report. Councilmembers indicated private-property towing is generally outside city control and offered to discuss it with her after the meeting.
• Eric Paul: Asked about survey work on Colts and possible activity at the Moose property; planning staff said no application had come before the city.
• Resident opposing ICE agreement: One speaker asked the council to rebuke the 287G/ICE agreement, saying ICE values are not Taylor values, and referenced civil-rights and detention concerns.

Discussion Items

• FY2025 Audit (7.1): Bill Bricky and Nate Sherub of Plante Moran PLLC presented the June 30, 2025 financial audit. The city received an unmodified audit opinion and reported zero findings and zero questioned costs. The city spent just over $5.2 million in federal funds, including $4.7 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds tested for compliance. General Fund revenue increased about $4 million; property tax revenue was approximately $13.3 million, up 6.15 percent. Unassigned General Fund balance was $20.6 million, about 39.8% of current-year expenditures, or roughly 145 days. Total legacy costs (pension and retiree health care) were $230.45 million, with OPEB 5% funded, Police/Fire 71% funded, General Employees 61% funded, and MERS 60% funded. The city invested $16.6 million in infrastructure and fixed assets, paid down $3.2 million of long-term debt, and issued no new governmental-fund debt. A councilmember asked whether the fund balance was healthy; the auditors said it was above average but built partly on one-time revenues.
• Starchase pursuit-reduction technology (7.3): Police officials described the vehicle-mounted GPS dart system as an alternative to high-speed chases. In 2025 the city had over 70 deployments and 50 positive apprehensions. The council authorized the 3-year renewal and additional units.
• Water Department walk-in van (7.5): The Water Department head explained the Freightliner MT55/Utilimaster van replaces a 2009 tap van, serves as the city's only main-break vehicle, and will support lead-line replacement. A councilmember noted the vehicle was purchased through Sourcewell cooperative pricing.
• Taylor Today Magazine (7.7): The council approved the three-year publication/mailing contract for seven issues per year: 2026 not to exceed $40,950, 2027 not to exceed $43,050, and 2028 not to exceed $45,150. The transcript stated the 2027 amount as $43,500, conflicting with the agenda's $43,050.
• Data center moratorium (7.10): Councilmember Gerald Thomas read the resolution into the record. Supporters said the 12-month pause would let the city review zoning and avoid litigation over data centers that meet current rules. Resident Tim Pashki opposed it, arguing it deprives property owners of rights and tells data center developers they are not welcome without a case-by-case hearing. Corporation Counsel Ed Plato said the moratorium prevents the city from being sued for refusing projects it cannot lawfully reject under current rules. The moratorium passed unanimously.

Other Business & Announcements

• Councilmembers announced upcoming community events: Fish & Loaves Music Bingo (Feb. 11 at Knights of Columbus in Allen Park), MDOT I-94 meeting (Feb. 11 at City Hall), Night to Shine (Feb. 13, volunteers needed), Daddy Daughter Dance (Feb. 21 at Heritage Hall, $35/couple, $12/additional child), and The Wall That Heals (Aug. 13-16 at Heritage Park). Council also thanked staff, DPW, the library, and confidential secretary Tiara Swain.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all four mayor's appointments and the consent agenda unanimously.
• Received/filed the FY2025 audit (7.1) unanimously.
• Approved the Center Mass Inc. firearms instructor training payment of up to $4,077 (7.2) unanimously.
• Approved the Starchase sole-source renewal for up to $86,785 (7.3) unanimously.
• Approved the sale of Parcel ID 60-088-01-0020-001 for $1,200 plus closing costs (7.4) unanimously.
• Approved the Freightliner MT55/Utilimaster walk-in van purchase for up to $295,154 (7.5) unanimously.
• Approved the Fairfax Electrical amendment for Lange Park electrical services up to $50,000 under the ARPA capital outlay grant (7.6) unanimously.
• Approved the Taylor Today Magazine contract (7.7) unanimously, with the noted discrepancy on the 2027 amount.
• Extended the Winter 2025 tax due date to Feb. 28, 2026 (7.8) unanimously.
• Received/filed the 2025 Compensation Commission determination (7.9) by a 5-2 roll-call vote; Councilmembers Patts and Clark voted no.
• Adopted the temporary data center moratorium (7.10) unanimously, effective Jan. 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. through Jan. 20, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., or until council adopts sufficient regulations.
• Adjourned at approximately 7:04 p.m.