Warren mayor presents $430 million FY2026 budget proposal; seeks millage renewal and major wastewater financing

The mayor of Warren presented an executive budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 on April 14, outlining a total city budget of roughly $430,000,000 and a general fund planning target near $160,000,000. The presentation emphasized investments in public safety, roads, parks, technology and a major wastewater treatment upgrade while asking residents to support a renewal of the city’s police and fire millage in August.

The budget matters because it frames how the city will allocate limited local revenues, addresses aging infrastructure and funds employee pay and benefits. "Tonight's budget proposal starts a conversation, but more importantly, as an exercise in transparency and accountability, as well as participatory governance by community members," the mayor said.

The mayor described the citywide budget and general fund process. Department requests totaled about $177,700,000 before the administration and controller trimmed them to a proposed recommendation of about $160,000,000 to align with projected revenues. City property taxes and state revenue sharing were said to make up about 75% of general fund revenues; charges for services, licenses and permits were described as roughly 7%.

Public safety accounted for the largest share of the general fund in the proposal: 40% to police and 22% to fire, a combined 62% of general fund dollars. The administration said it has hired 34 police officers since the mayor took office and has…