City presents FY2026 proposed budget: $307.4 million, big investments planned in roads and public safety

City finance staff presented the Lansing FY2026 proposed budget to the Committee of the Whole, describing a $307.4 million multiyear spending plan, the revenue assumptions behind it, and key capital priorities including roads, public safety and downtown facilities.

Jake Brower, who delivered the budget overview, said the proposed citywide budget totals $307,400,000 and highlighted that the largest single shares of spending are public services and retirement/benefits. Brower described the general fund revenue mix: property taxes (about 33%), income taxes (about 25%), and payments from the Board of Water and Light (about 17%). He said the property tax rate would remain at the current 19.44 mills in the proposal (15.44 mills base + 4 mills for police, fire, roads and parks).

Brower walked council members through key assumptions and risks: FY2026 property and income tax estimates were based on December 2024 valuations and the January state revenue conference; the city is using a conservative…