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Sterling Heights adopts $319.9 million budget, approves 17.5323 millage; debates $40M bonding for parks plan
Summary
City Council adopted the 2025–26 appropriations ordinance setting a total property tax millage of 17.5323 and approved plans to bond about $40 million to accelerate projects funded by the voter-approved Pathways to Play & Preservation millage, triggering a vigorous debate over long-term debt and affordability.
Sterling Heights City Council on May 6 adopted the 2025–26 annual appropriations ordinance setting a total property tax levy of 17.5323 mills and a total fund budget of $319.9 million, including $56 million tied to the voter-approved Pathways to Play & Preservation (PPP) millage.
Finance and Budget Director Jennifer Varney presented the budget during the required public hearing and said the general fund budget totals $133 million, a 2.8% increase largely driven by personnel costs, police and fire pension contributions, and health insurance. "The proposed city millage rate for the tax year of 2025 is 17.5323 and it's due to the 0.95 millage increase due to the voter-approved pathways to play and preservation millage," Varney told the council.
The ordinance preserves funding for public safety positions, Fire Station 5 renovations and a jail facility renovation, and allocates $12 million for major road…
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