Trenton mayor presents recommended FY2025–26 budget; council sets April 21 public hearing

Mayor Rezappa presented the mayor's recommended fiscal year 2025–26 budget and the council voted to receive and place it on file and to schedule a public hearing on Monday, April 21, at 6:45 p.m.

Controller Jill Cooper, who introduced the recommended budget, said the proposal does not include any millage-rate increases beyond a previously voter-approved building improvement bond. Cooper told the council the city’s current fund balance is about $10.7 million, with roughly $4.5 million available, and that the total budget is about $26.5 million.

The recommendation reflects long-term revenue and staffing trends the controller outlined. Cooper said state shared revenue and the value of one mill have declined over decades but have seen recent upticks, and that the city has reduced full-time staffing from about 200 employees 25 years ago to roughly 134 in the proposed budget. She told the council the budget includes a roughly $58,000 contingency surplus after department requests were worked through.

Council members who spoke during the session said they were reviewing the documents line by line and expected more detailed discussion at upcoming budget meetings. Councilman Benedetti reiterated that Wednesday’s follow-up budget meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and asked colleagues to submit questions in advance so staff can gather answers.

The council’s motion to receive and place on file the mayor’s recommended FY2025–26 budget and to schedule the April 21 public hearing passed unanimously.

Looking ahead, Cooper noted planned contract negotiations for labor agreements, new debt obligations tied to Rotary Park and building improvements, planned water-infrastructure projects, and local road improvements referenced in a PACER study. She also reported new DTE-related tax-roll revenue beginning to appear in the recommended budget.