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Troy Council adopts balanced $2025–26 budget, emphasizes reserves and capital needs
Summary
Troy City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 city budget after a public hearing, approving a balanced plan that maintains a low 9.7919 millage rate, preserves a 20–30% fund balance policy and signals work ahead on long-term capital needs such as the library and roads.
The Troy City Council voted unanimously on May 5 to adopt the city—s fiscal year 2025—26 budget, approving a balanced spending plan presented by Chief Financial Officer Robert Malzak and Controller Kyle Heath.
The budget maintains Troy—s millage at 9.7919 mills and was presented to council and the public as meeting state requirements and being balanced. "This budget is balanced and meets all the requirements set forth by the state of Michigan and the city council," CFO Robert Malzak said during the presentation.
Nut graf: Council members praised the finance team for conservative fiscal management but repeatedly emphasized that while operating funds are healthy, the city—s long-term capital needs — including roads, the library and other infrastructure — remain underfunded, prompting more study and potential future proposals.
Council members highlighted three priorities cited by staff: preserving public health, safety and welfare; focusing on core facilities and infrastructure including major and local streets; and continuing quality-of-life amenities. Council discussion repeatedly noted Troy—s comparatively low millage and the limited scale of new tax revenue: council members said the annual taxable-value growth alone would yield only a few million dollars, not enough for large capital projects.
Public comment at the budget hearing included requests to add a traffic study tied to the proposed library plan and a call for Narcan training and supplies for first responders. The council said the budget could cover studies if projects move forward and indicated police already receive Narcan training; council directed residents with on-the-ground ordinance concerns to contact the police non-emergency line.
Several council members underscored the city—s fund-balance policy of maintaining 20% to 30% of operating expenditures for credit and contingency purposes. Council member Chamberlain Krenge and others said the city often ends a fiscal year at or slightly above the top of that range; several members said they do not favor spending down the reserve below the policy but noted there can be room for targeted uses of excess balance for smaller projects if the policy is reconsidered later.
The formal motion to adopt the budget was moved by Council member Chamberlain Krenge and supported by Mayor Pro Tem Gunn. The council voted yes: Mayor Ethan Baker; Council members Chamberlain Krenge, Ochanda, Mayor Pro Tem Gunn, Hamilton and Hodorick. Motion carries.
Ending: Council members said they will continue a multi-year conversation on capital needs, and staff can begin preparing for next year—s budget work immediately.
