The Lansing City Committee of the Whole approved an amended resolution setting budget priorities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 at its Sept. 29 meeting, directing staff and the administration to pursue increased funding for sidewalks, local roads and public safety staffing.

The amendment that the committee approved asks for $1,500,000 for sidewalk repair with a priority placed on underserved areas, and requests an additional $2,000,000 for local road repairs over the fiscal year 2026 budgeted amount. Vice President Carter moved the resolution as amended; the motion passed unanimously.

The resolution also reflects committee direction on public safety staffing and programs. The committee clarified that the request for additional officers is for 3 to 6 positions for the Lansing Fire Department and 3 to 6 for the Lansing Police Department (separately), continuing a multi-year request to increase staffing levels. The ordinance text as amended also calls for sustained funding for the Lansing Fire Department apprentice/internship program; committee members specified that the apprenticeship program is distinct from the department’s cadet program.

Public comment at the meeting raised concerns about the order of budget priorities. Loretta Stanaway urged the committee to prioritize sworn public safety positions and fire staffing over other proposed increases, saying, “When somebody needs a cop or a fireman, they aren't gonna care if there's a disability inclusion consultant in the budget or if the tin can got a facade improvement — they're gonna want those policemen and those firemen available and on scene.” Stanaway also questioned several line items she cited from the proposed priorities, including a $300,000 increase for LEDC and a $100,000 item for housing legal assistance.

Council members debated how to frame the request amounts. Several members described the city’s overall needs as far larger than the amounts requested — one councilmember estimated an $11–$12 million annual need to make substantial progress on sidewalks citywide — but supported setting a concrete, achievable minimum in the priorities. On local roads the committee agreed to phrase the request as an additional $2,000,000 beyond what is budgeted for FY26 rather than setting a new total that could be interpreted differently by the administration.

The committee also discussed housing legal assistance and eviction prevention. Members said the city’s prior eviction diversion specialist position had been effective and voiced support for restoring that capacity; the amended priorities keep the eviction-diversion specialist concept in the list but do not specify a dollar amount, reflecting committee interest in restoring the specific position rather than committing to the previously listed $100,000 line item.

On police and fire vacancies, council members expressed differing views about whether the city should add funded but unfilled positions or instead invest in higher pay and recruitment to reduce the vacancy rate. Councilmember Jackson argued that raising compensation to close the vacancy gap would place more officers “on the street” than adding additional funded positions that remain unfilled; other members said retirements and ongoing call-volume increases make steady hiring and added positions necessary.

Vice President Carter moved the amended budget-priorities resolution; the committee voted in favor with no recorded opposition. The resolution passed unanimously and will move to the full City Council for consideration as part of the FY26 budget process.