Leah Smith

The committee held a public hearing to discuss the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget for the City of Detroit, presented by the Office of Budget. The session also included a period for public comment.

The Council conducted a formal session covering a wide range of legislative and administrative matters. Key discussion topics included the referral of various items to standing committees, such as Neighborhood Enterprise Zone certificate applications, financial reports, and contractual agreements. The Council approved several contracts related to public works, transit, and social services, as well as multiple lawsuit settlements. Additionally, the Council accepted grant funding for police department operations and early voting implementation, and adopted various testimonial resolutions to recognize community members and organizations.

The committee discussed several memoranda regarding city operations, including shelter inspections, police interactions, property deed information, and proposed state legislation. New business included the review and authorization of multiple city contracts for general contracting services, streetscape projects, equipment cleaning, and facility upgrades, alongside financial authorizations for grant appropriations and traffic safety applications. Additionally, the committee addressed various policy items such as rental application fees and property liens, and concluded with an extensive review of dangerous buildings, determining whether specific properties should be demolished, withdrawn, or returned for cost analysis.

The committee received a presentation from the Office of the Assessor regarding property tax assessment data. Legislative actions included recommending approval for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone certificate application for the rehabilitation of 250 Eliot Street and deferring a request for information regarding long-term financial obligations. The committee also approved multiple resolutions to manage the 2026-2027 budget process, which included establishing a schedule for the Mayor's budget presentation, setting dates for public hearings, and adopting scheduling policies for budget deliberations.

The committee meeting addressed several key items, including discussions on legislative resolutions for Revenue Trust Funds, the expansion of participatory budgeting, and an audit request for the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. The committee reviewed a quarterly risk management report, budget hearing follow-ups for various departments including the Ombudsman, Health Department, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Museum of African American History budget. Additionally, the committee acted on budget analysis responses for the Board of Review and approved moving a request for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) budget transfers to the formal session.