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Commission sets May 19 public hearing on proposed 2025‑26 budget and approves mid‑year amendments including 1% complete streets allocation
Summary
The commission scheduled a public hearing for the fiscal 2025‑26 budget on May 19, approved $2.385 million in mid‑year budget amendments and directed an annual 1% general fund set‑aside for Complete Streets initiatives; commissioners also approved a proposal to increase Arts Commission city funding.
The City Commission set a public hearing for May 19 on the proposed fiscal year 2025‑26 budget and related capital plan, and approved a package of mid‑year budget amendments and commissioner requests during the May 5 meeting.
City Manager Liz and Finance staff presented the proposed budget schedule and described next steps, including a study session and public hearing on May 19. The commission requested additional outreach and analysis and asked staff to meet individually with commissioners on departmental staffing proposals where needed.
As part of the meeting, the commission adopted budget adjustments totaling $2,385,000 to address department deficits and to restore several reduced FY 2025‑26 priority items. The amendments also included commissioner‑requested items: an annual 1% dedication of General Fund revenue to Complete Streets improvements and an additional contribution to the Arts Commission. Several public speakers from the Grand Traverse Safe Streets Alliance urged adoption of the Complete Streets set‑aside.
Commissioners described the Complete Streets set‑aside as a starting point to ensure the city has dedicated funds for multimodal transportation investments and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Mayor Pro Tem Wilson and others said the 1% figure is a model used by other communities and is intended to acknowledge that “complete” street projects can cost more than basic resurfacing.
The Arts Commission sought and received commission support to increase its city allocation from $30,000 to $60,000 for the upcoming year to fund initiatives including an inaugural mural festival and a multi‑phase creative placemaking program in North Boardman. Arts Commission representatives said they have matched or secured some outside grants and plan to use the balance of their current fund to seed the mural festival; the additional city allocation would support continued programming and a proposed creative place‑making initiative.
The budget hearing was set and the amendments adopted by majority vote; staff will continue planned study sessions ahead of the May 19 public hearing and will return with detailed budget materials and the six‑year capital plan for public comment.
