The city of Detroit’s $3 billion budget was approved by council Tuesday and signed by the mayor Wednesday after weeks of smooth sailing deliberations.
The approved budget carved out increases for the city’s transit department, cut property taxes by another one mill (from 4 to 3 mills). Since 2023, homeowners have seen a 6-mill debt reduction. So, for a property worth $100,000, this equates to an estimated savings of $700 since 2023.
About 900 city employees will see wage increases to $44,616 annually. The city also moved $3.5 million from a blight remediation program.
The city also added new homeless and human services department, which will see $42.5 million to facilitate housing development.
The 1.1% decrease from the previous year’s budget comes as state and federal funding sources have been limited.
City council president James Tate said he’s excited for the passage of the budget, but it’s all about execution.
“The Detroit City Council has been working countless hours around the clock for weeks, reviewing, discussing, and making critical decisions that impact our city’s future,” Tate said.
Tate thanked members of the legislative policy division, the mayor’s office and his fellow council members in a video to social media following a long budget session Tuesday night.
Council approved nearly $11 million in changes from the budget Mayor Mary Sheffield initially proposed.
The Detroit Police Department saw a slight decrease from its budget a year ago, but won’t result in reductions to staffing, officials said.
“Our $3 billion budget is more than just a financial document; it is a commitment to the people of the City of Detroit and a way forward to rise higher,” Sheffield said. “Also, by maintaining our 13-year streak of balanced budgets, we are proving that fiscal discipline and compassionate investment can—and must—go hand in hand.”
The city will also disperse a “13th Check” for legacy pension retirees, a continued $10 million prorated check.
The city also maintains $150 million in reserves.
Included in the budget is $72,000 for civil rights department to improve a language program to help non-English speakers, $240,000 for an urban farmers grant, $525,000 for DECG’s Green Grocer program.
The approved budget also contains a 120% increase to $2.2 million in funding for after school programs.
District 7 Council member Denzel McCampbell highlighted the $4.5 million in funding for a new rec center in his district at the Brennen Recreation area of Rouge Park.
“We’ve passed a budget that will light up our neighborhoods with a mid-block lighting initiative, increase the walkability of our streets with critical sidewalk repairs, and equip our youth with more to do with the expansion of programming and services — including after school program,” McCampbell said in a statement.
“This is truly what it means when we say we are delivering for people and our neighborhoods.”
Council member at-large Mary Waters said the work continues in successfully implementing the programs funded by the latest budget.
“Proud to stand with my colleagues as we close out another budget cycle focused on investing in our neighborhoods, supporting our families, and strengthening the future of Detroit. The conversations were tough, but the goal remains the same: making sure every community in our city is seen, heard and supported.
