[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6307320,"mediaKeyId","2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7","parentId",2433633,"title","Council refers $1.6M budget amendment to study session after controllers warn of shortfall","audioSeconds",535,"startMs",6565000,"endMs",7100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7&start=6565&end=7100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7/thumbnail_6565000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307320/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-refers-16M-budget-amendment-to-study-session-after-controllers-warn-of-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307320-618d771c997d72c2adb8625f1d0a99bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170557&Signature=e5O-wEzBKtoEED2sHKZ2~xoMn~QB1LNpW4hEYfHUUell5Mb87l31KDAz4a9yBjxOEAzlGKlphj7XUi9H3fQoTbrAzEzMyHjjqfTN6OGJ72drJTcQvX-CPUl6pORQqQeN3hJaZLRf4ow2fH~oGymaobNuaYVK0o1uK-W1O0huoJvF3wRvc8yfwltJEcSYvpIiG7rfgQ6rRTBUSua8uDk54EhCekWWIhJ63042pRCg8oS7MVqcmdEQ9z7FeMx0qSube5YL7ROe1Ho2M8TC8tBnaLNQtbSTPJcVWHwSSc4ldeMw9MkipqD-T-ZsvAaW-UbqBjSzJhjWN1701wJ8fIBb1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-27T20:21:35Z","article","Council members referred a proposed budget amendment on Feb. 25 that would draw roughly $1.6 million from the general fund balance to cover year-end shortfalls and approved a separate study session to examine the city’s finances.

Comptroller Shannon Shepherd presented the budget amendment request, explaining the largest portion is proposed to cover overtime and previously approved but unpaid contracts and line-item adjustments. Shepherd told the council the administration’s numbers indicate a shortfall that would require approximately $1.64 million from fund balance to close the current fiscal year. Several council members said they had not received sufficient advance explanation of the shortfall and asked for Plant Moran, the city’s financial consultant, and department directors to appear at a study session to explain the drivers of the gap.

Councilman Robert Constant said the council balanced a budget during the last adoption and had repeatedly warned directors to control overtime and other spending; he said the administration needed to answer how the shortfall occurred and present a corrective plan. Council members asked for detailed line-item information and for Plant Moran to join a public study session to walk the council through the consultant’s analysis.

Instead of approving the amendment on Feb. 25, the council voted to refer the item back to administration and to schedule the study session with Plant Moran and department directors present. The comptroller said the request includes contracts and previously approved items that require budget amendments to be paid this fiscal year; she also said most of the proposed changes reflect timing and carryover of obligations, but the scale of the shortfall requires council-level review.

Ending: The council did not approve the budget amendment on Feb. 25. Administration was asked to return with detailed supporting schedules and Plant Moran will be asked to present at a dedicated study session so the council can consider the request with full context.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/25/25 - Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council referred a proposed budget amendment that would draw roughly $1.6 million from fund balance back to administration and scheduled a study session with Plant Moran and department directors after staff and council raised concerns about overspending and transparency.","taxTitle","Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4162,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6307326,"City council delays payments, orders itemization after dispute over IB Electric invoice and legal bills",1932,4817000,6749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7&start=4817&end=6749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7/thumbnail_4817000.jpg","/articles/6307326/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/City-council-delays-payments-orders-itemization-after-dispute-over-IB-Electric-invoice-and-legal-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307326-c8d6e119c7d29750499a7629b78d1e75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170557&Signature=OdL22Qg~0Ae2JY-Rb52T912BpzJ1LyRATpJntfE-N7pIUuiTttDVaW9iXYhDg8dzflUJYswLZUkRu590dSu-3tizexWuL41EiYg2w3~zCjk1nbsN55CzC36EONlF5mW0Al2tUgz6UOXMf0qEZ5S6~Z9mxA2uh8EcAwD2cG0OsSv7fGedqwzgTvXi6syDlxmKx4EXyPvR697S1wFAxZCfEcx~iPNSlNH2y9bQlUAC6eOTwT~bWPapeDkYK7tTd2XIuiUrDwMWOtNRYpy1Hw1hnE5GlQ8mE1JYjhJEjOtuUWeEsQehWWsTVthP7qzpqgFVhawCuTUsUBmVzuGnDbgA7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dearborn Heights City Council on Feb. 25 spent prolonged time debating whether to approve several claims and ACH wire transfers after questions about who authorized a $7,000 invoice from IB Electric and a set of invoices from outside counsel.

Councilman Hassan Saab led efforts to withhold specific claims for clarification, saying the administration failed to provide requested backup documentation. The disputed charges included an approximately $7,000 invoice tied to lighting work at a city facility and a set of outside legal bills that the council asked be itemized and split by case before payment.

After multiple motions and roll-call votes the council approved the bulk of the current claims but removed items for further review. The council voted to remove items 12 and 13 (invoices for sewer work where addresses were not listed) and to hold invoice 26 (legal billing) for further itemization by the vendor; it also removed item 24 for separate review. The council directed administration to return the referred items with clarifying information at a future meeting.

Several council members said they did not object to paying vendors when work was performed, but they repeatedly emphasized the need for routine procurement and contract procedures to be followed and for supporting documentation to be submitted with claims. Council members cited the city charter and prior council direction in arguing for stricter adherence to purchasing and contract rules.

Corporation counsel and members of administration said some of the work was performed and some contracts had been previously approved, and they urged payment; others on the council said the goal was to ensure a transparent paper trail. After the referrals and roll calls, the council approved the remaining claims for payment.

Ending: The council approved the current claims with several items removed and referred for clarification; administration was directed to provide the requested addresses, itemizations and backup so held invoices can be paid at a later meeting.","Council voted to hold several invoices for further review after extended debate over a $7,000 IB Electric charge and multiple legal invoices; the council approved current claims after removing several items for clarification and referral back to administration.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6307329,"Dearborn Heights council debates short-term rental ban; moratorium motion fails",10527,656000,11183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7&start=656&end=11183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433633-43a753be9da1c5abaec42a0e83cc84f7/thumbnail_656000.jpg","/articles/6307329/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Dearborn-Heights-council-debates-short-term-rental-ban-moratorium-motion-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307329-ce54818c66725d80b6285fcf9fbff0cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170557&Signature=ARziHicWVQKIw7Kp5fnksOL~UVV9c6awGiuAQsJihVBz~uHte8jX53j~3ZeKzH6kXoBvirbac1fS2VDAHJmr5J3HnNR3YEUlX2YtbJ9qHvk08YjyEV6d~MANaNis3wEG10CVE76B6LGAd5hNXbryeHSPi34k-gDz5~lVUD9F7qCSNo9aSiMii--RTL3NzPm2JGnJYMlYBYnwoVKnwl7sUznivPPaFMQq6YJxueVPUmi3wlxIIQfuB0tPQdUMfchxIDCzkeRp8opeZ89kMiHBg0tONEz45NgMfhUC5oEO~ue0xrFcX~nT~AB3X3m~w9LNjUp6U6rCePDJOPxayIF7nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members debated how to regulate short-term rental properties in Dearborn Heights on Feb. 25 as frustrated residents and several council members pressed for an immediate prohibition while others urged a legally defensible ordinance and enforcement plan.

Councilman Tom Wenzel proposed a resolution that would make operating short-term rentals in the city illegal “immediately upon approval” unless and until the council adopted a detailed ordinance and an enforcement plan. Wenzel said short-term renters “do nothing for our community, only harm,” and argued that if the city cannot effectively regulate the use it should ban it.

Supporters of a quick ban said short-term rentals have created noise, parking and safety problems in neighborhoods and argued the city should act now. Opponents, including Council Chair and several other council members, said the charter and state zoning law require careful drafting and review to avoid litigation and to ensure the ordinance is enforceable. Council members repeatedly said they have asked special legal counsel to draft a proposed ordinance and that they preferred to wait for that text rather than adopt a legally vulnerable moratorium.

Corporation counsel and special legal counsel both addressed the council during debate. Corporation counsel warned that the charter limits certain designations and cited prior litigation over special counsel in the city, while special legal counsel said the zoning-enabling issues make immediate moratoriums risky and recommended a carefully drafted ordinance or enforcement of existing codes where applicable.

Councilman Wenzel moved a resolution calling for an immediate moratorium and ban; the motion failed on a roll-call vote. Separately, the council earlier amended the agenda to add Wenzel’s short-term rental resolution for discussion and asked special legal counsel to prepare a first reading of a formal ordinance for a future meeting.

Council members said they will combine public complaints, planning commission work and counsel’s draft when a formal ordinance is presented. Several residents who spoke during public comment urged quick action; others and multiple council members emphasized the need for a plan the city can enforce without inviting legal challenges.

The council did not adopt a moratorium or immediate ban on Feb. 25; special legal counsel was ordered to continue drafting an ordinance and the item will return for a formal first reading when ready.

Ending: Council members repeatedly said they share the goal of fewer neighborhood disruptions but disagreed about timing and legal strategy. The city’s next step is for special legal counsel to provide a draft ordinance and related enforcement options for the council’s review and a future vote.","Council members debated an immediate ban and moratorium on short-term rental properties and directed special legal counsel to draft an enforceable ordinance; a last-minute resolution to ban short-term rentals failed in a roll-call vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council refers $1.6M budget amendment to study session after controllers warn of shortfall

City council delays payments, orders itemization after dispute over IB Electric invoice and legal bills

Dearborn Heights council debates short-term rental ban; moratorium motion fails