[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6077954,"mediaKeyId","2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756","parentId",2962723,"title","Council votes to enter closed session to discuss real property purchase/lease and attorney-client privileged communication","audioSeconds",48,"startMs",3812000,"endMs",3860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756&start=3812&end=3860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756/thumbnail_3812000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077954/Brighton/Livingston-County/Michigan/Council-votes-to-enter-closed-session-to-discuss-real-property-purchaselease-and-attorney-client-privileged-communication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077954-92de5efcd4aa3e20e9bef529d93437ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157520&Signature=GaxBwdl~c-k9RAW2OmFvJxe7rSx~zI~1s8hgZmiixJIfpSk9Mw5xQBoOjN4etv2Qt2B6TP9ft3U7Zd3YS99jneb8tNaO9kEmcUh0mwbbqHPvqzfIEwZHJiGgXLeqtDV7wVKhqrUx-Wks62ER40G4S23P2d2HOgR49uGUPFEWnU2-W59Jp9WZCObPP52V4Ufst4AkVdO9xWGveGWeSBRmP3-R3y-jUNaM1NlzHGfiaTI59f2w1XiY53QOYAilx9oABcyDXPibHHlgJorRUkNZMCqa9AG2V-rW4W7Gu6xn0eMOQBwXHthLzkR9cAlIJYPKLPZasNb6Yb84RjqWUKBE4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Brighton Michigan","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","At the end of the April 8 meeting, the Brighton City Council voted to enter a closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to discuss the purchase or lease of real property and to receive a written attorney-client privileged communication.

The motion, made by Mayor Pro Tem Bone and supported by Council member Gardner, cited the Michigan Open Meetings Act (1976), specifically Section 15.268(1)(d) for the purchase or lease of real property and Section 15.268(1)(h) for attorney-client privileged communication. Clerk Brown called the roll; members recorded a unanimous yes vote and the council entered closed session.

Why it matters

Closed sessions on real-property transactions or privileged legal communications are statutory exceptions to Michigan’s open-meetings requirements. The council did not disclose details of the property or the legal communication during the public portion of the meeting.

Next steps

No public action was taken immediately in open session; the council proceeded into the closed session as authorized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04082025CCMeeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted unanimously to go into closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to consider purchase or lease of real property and to receive a written attorney-client privileged communication.","taxTitle","Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan","taxId",54301,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077959,"Council approves five recurring civic events for 2025 season",79,3721000,3800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756&start=3721&end=3800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756/thumbnail_3721000.jpg","/articles/6077959/Brighton/Livingston-County/Michigan/Council-approves-five-recurring-civic-events-for-2025-season","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077959-4c9ed31229bbf02ab52e094c8f33fb98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157520&Signature=HPcK1Ssv-NwBynyzFXIgdD-9gyfykT7b7CojBznhGrRKW8M2cBPV35BThTKjj8FQuDwxrJQUJr7y7Ce5J7QjoP9WEvBiOOgPnbJueUXrJ-P7lFOeRNLTEHD3ljosffO1Rc1LX-aL4cVPyolohSXukIuM062rM9JsUfzWApF9EKqmO1uh~EDqa7QV7t6NBb3VJJ40cPRm-Jqb8ffKidnmmrm6MConFPFp88JNZ3vQ7bDpmjnrPkTFXPIGEfdchhySU5a34uf3DxHYf8iVCtuS~4tlsCfurkW~VXmqjaPVNbVWVS2bY0xo1~CnVV3IoUhHCXcYl4JhtkFIS-h41V-L-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brighton City Council approved five civic event applications for the 2025 season at the April 8 meeting.

Assistant to the DPS director Patty Thomas told council the five events have operated previously and require little city assistance; two of them need some city support. “We have received 5 more civic event applications for this year. All of them are pretty—they've been going on for years. They require very little assistance from the city,” Thomas said.

Approved events listed by staff to be posted on the city website included two free outdoor summer band concerts by the Livingston County Concert Band (Tuesdays in July), the Rock to Live By/Veterans Connected event, La Casa October Glow, the Church World Service Crop Hunger Walk, and the Brighton Chamber’s Holiday Glow.

Motion and vote

A motion to approve the five civic events was made by Council member Pattingill and seconded by another council member; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff said the city website would be updated with event details the following day.

Why it matters

The approvals allow organizers to proceed with planning and secure limited city support where needed (for example, for policing or public-works overtime reimbursement). Thomas noted civic-event sponsors reimburse the city for 50 percent of overtime costs for police and DPW when applicable.","Council approved five civic event applications for 2025, including summer band concerts and the Brighton Chamber Holiday Glow; staff will post event listings on the city website.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":80,"_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":73,"_74":73},6077963,"Council approves resolution to support $1 million community-project request for wastewater generators",110,3910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756&start=3800&end=3910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756/thumbnail_3800000.jpg","/articles/6077963/Brighton/Livingston-County/Michigan/Council-approves-resolution-to-support-1-million-community-project-request-for-wastewater-generators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077963-5bc35f067c621448779c8a3c509450c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157520&Signature=T~leSrRRaGSLVzYnDo4M8uyNzmU8eiqU5AtdJ43rHEEmSzYzWe6~o-5wqI0-dbPC~bTkk-jpzpvJKuf8uYijINwvP49U1TEfwmch71QFADVXAR5IbKrt6hoW~eKglBXAAzr4nuRrdOH7LvZLITYRUq4XgvW~nGeJMt~d6HNIRd59WYKC68d8Om4G1dS9eriP9uYf0NzOFB0mfhpwrDH40tiHB4X1b~~-tJK2QucZewxw3GtF0wkQ88DgnHr4xCtFFtMPMAfnr5Hvwr1VYZ5evHxJeCeyhkYAnA64~tvc2IC3FV2wTigwa2v~3Dxc0un-mlo6A25IBZyr0-mpvELMng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brighton City Council voted on April 8 to approve Resolution No. 2025-09 authorizing the city to submit a community project funding application to Congressman Tom Barrett for a $1,000,000 request to replace generators at the Brighton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Director Liz Gaines told council the application mirrors a prior request submitted under Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and that the city would re-submit the request now that the application cycle has reopened. “This, as I mentioned during the budget presentation, is a submission... for the same project at the wastewater treatment plant for the replacement of generators that, have previously been selected for submission,” Gaines said.

Motion and vote

Council member Gardner moved to approve Resolution 2025-09 to authorize the application; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes. Clerk Brown called the roll: Mayor Pro Tem Bone — yes; Council member Gardner — yes; Council member Gibson — yes; Council member Pettengill — yes; Mayor Tobe — yes; Council member Schmank — yes; Council member Albert — yes.

Why it matters

Gaines said the city views the replacement generators as part of ongoing capital needs at the wastewater plant; the $1,000,000 community project funding request would cover a portion of the equipment replacement costs if selected. The application package will include a council-signed resolution and a letter of support to accompany the submission.

Next steps

Staff said they would notify council when the application is submitted and that members of council who wish to contact Congressman Barrett may do so after the submission.","Brighton City Council adopted Resolution 2025-09 to authorize submission of a community project funding request for replacement generators at the wastewater treatment plant; roll call was unanimous.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077968,"Brighton council hears 2025–26 budget presentation; proposes small water and sewer rate increases",2602,1060000,3662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756&start=1060&end=3662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962723-c5935329eadf125421544c73fabc0756/thumbnail_1060000.jpg","/articles/6077968/Brighton/Livingston-County/Michigan/Brighton-council-hears-202526-budget-presentation-proposes-small-water-and-sewer-rate-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077968-895f208aeab6a6f1c80f3ec429b9066c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157520&Signature=BGWc97XlxvGxZ5xc4Qx5jq9ydcOLXWuMHxstITVy27mA0APubpCbMoI-fq~1Q-T0JSGq-ItHuDULbZUYLXjqZVXjlERWRksxHOfQHj3OpUUU1CRkDAfi5I4wGAQG8OIEUqMz1~Al5FductGPl0eyjQ98OBSG9~aQPoCr3JGbPmV2nagcGg0SZ0JJyuNJBsVIoZjYiE4oXUGoy09ZvK-J875EhOy~8bvU51K8txWICH1A3Nyq7kP4MSL74pxzER9j~C76dX9PG~zm82urxwSEVhYLoxUg91vJ8XtO7TRl~8wc6ioElt8PGp2KlgUGkj5SoEf8xXfSAZLfz37zZMVLmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Liz Gaines delivered the City of Brighton’s proposed 2025–26 budget and fee schedule at the April 8 City Council meeting, outlining revenue projections, planned capital spending and a small increase to utility rates.

Gaines told council the city is projecting roughly $600,000 more in revenue than was originally budgeted for the current year, driven primarily by $375,000 in higher-than-expected interest income, $88,000 in additional property tax receipts and $50,000 in personal property tax reimbursement from the state. “On the revenue side, we’re projecting, like, $600,000 to the good, over what we budgeted,” Gaines said.

The proposed general-fund budget for 2025–26 would keep the city’s fund balance above city policy: Gaines reported the adopted fund-balance target of 15 percent and said the city is on track to finish this fiscal year with an assigned and unassigned fund balance near 40 percent of next year’s expenditures (the budget presentation used a 37 percent adopted baseline and projected closer to 40 percent at year-end).

Why it matters: the budget frames the city’s near-term decisions on street work, capital reserves, staffing and long-term liabilities such as pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB). Gaines told council Brighton continues to fund pensions above the actuarily determined contribution and is increasing prefunding for OPEB so future retiree health premiums can be paid from assets rather than annual operating revenues.

Key proposed changes and numbers

- Utility rates: the city is proposing a modest rise in commodity rates. Water would increase from $7.06 to $7.20 per 1,000 gallons; sewer from $8.31 to $8.73 per 1,000 gallons. An administrative fee would rise by 14¢ per two-month billing cycle (about 7¢ per month). Gaines presented example bill impacts: for a two-month cycle using 6,000 gallons, the increase would be about $3.50 (2.8%); for 8,000 gallons, about $4.62 (3.0%); for 10,000 gallons, about $5.74 (3.1%).

- Capital and utility reserves: the water fund has about $600,000 of proposed capital spending (including Pine Creek tank work), while the wastewater fund carried about $1.4 million budgeted for capital projects in the proposal. Utility reserves were reported at roughly $696,000 and projected to grow to about $840,000.

- Staffing and operations: the proposed budget increases full-time equivalents from 61 to 62.3 (adding one police officer and converting a 0.7 code-enforcement position to a full-time 1.0 to address workload).

- Pension/OPEB: the city is continuing contributions above required levels. Gaines said the additional above-required payments in the general fund total about $572,000 and about $30,000 in the utilities fund (these figures represent the above-and-beyond amounts, not the total annual contribution).

Grants and projects discussed

Gaines reviewed several grant awards and applications: a $200,000 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Shared Streets and Spaces award for Seventh Street sidewalk and ADA improvements; a $30,000 Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation grant administered through the Michigan Municipal League for branding work; and a previously submitted $1,000,000 community project funding request to support wastewater treatment plant work (see separate article). Gaines said the city will reapply to the same community project funding program under Congressman Tom Barrett after a continuing resolution left prior requests unfunded.

Council action and next steps

Council voted to set the required public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 budget for Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The motion to set the public hearing was made by Council member Gibson and passed on a voice vote. Director Gaines and staff scheduled deeper departmental budget discussions during two budget workshops on April 15 and 16 and a public hearing on May 13.

Gaines closed by noting the city is using conservative revenue estimates (particularly for interest income) and that the draft budget will be reviewed line-by-line during the workshops before final adoption.

Ending

The council will review departmental details at scheduled budget workshops April 15–16 and hold the public hearing on May 13, 2025, before final budget adoption.","Director Liz Gaines presented the proposed 2025–26 city budget, highlighting higher-than-expected interest income, capital projects, pension and OPEB funding, and modest proposed utility rate increases. Council set a public hearing for May 13, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes to enter closed session to discuss real property purchase/lease and attorney-client privileged communication

Council approves five recurring civic events for 2025 season

Council approves resolution to support $1 million community-project request for wastewater generators

Brighton council hears 2025–26 budget presentation; proposes small water and sewer rate increases