Detroit City Council approves corrections to mayor—s budget, closing resolution and supplemental transfers

Detroit City Council on a special-session vote approved corrections to the mayor—s proposed fiscal 2026 budget, the council—s closing resolution, and a fiscal 2025 supplemental appropriations and transfer request, adopting several amendments to Schedule B and language clarifications in the closing resolution.

The Council approved the errata and closing resolutions (agenda items 2.1 and 2.2) as amended, the 2026 tax statement (item 2.4), the council—s Schedule B and closing resolution (items 3.1 and 3.2) as amended, and a fiscal 2024-25 supplemental appropriation and transfer (item 5.1). Council members adopted the measures by unanimous consent with waivers attached where noted.

Why it matters: the items finalize council-directed changes to the fiscal 2026 budget and record several capital and one-time commitments, including cultural grants and program adjustments, and set the structure for midyear appropriations and administration follow-up.

Most consequential budget changes included: a documented $4,000,000 total commitment for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (a $2,000,000 appropriation now and a $2,000,000 midyear supplemental commitment), a matching $2,000,000 commitment for the historic society (arranged as $1,000,000 now and $1,000,000 next calendar year), and direction that 95% of adult marijuana excise tax revenue be dedicated to a special revenue fund to support the Office of Cannabis Affairs and the Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department, "contingent upon forthcoming ordinance amendments," language that appears in the administration—s closing resolution.

Council member David Durhall moved approval of the cluster of items including 2.1 and 2.2; after discussion and an amendment to update the Charles H. Wright commitment, Durhall said, "I move that we approve line items 2.1 and 2.2 as amended." The motion passed on unanimous consent. Several other items were similarly adopted without recorded roll-call votes.

The documents adopted include Schedule B (the council—s list of appropriation changes by agency and fund), the closing resolution that captures council—s priorities and some administration commitments, and a fiscal 2025 supplemental appropriation that accommodates approximately $12 million in current-year items (as described in the meeting materials).

Council discussion also clarified how some purchases will be funded: purchases identified in the closing resolution, including a surveillance vehicle and an armored vehicle (Bearcat), will be paid from an existing installment purchase agreement and the city—s vehicle procurement plan; no new appropriation was required for those purchases, according to staff.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda item 2.1 (Correction of errors to the 2026 mayor—s budget / errata letter): Motion to approve as amended; mover: Council member David Durhall; outcome: approved by unanimous consent; notes: amendment documented to reflect administration commitments.

- Agenda item 2.2 (Administration—s closing resolution for fiscal 2026): Motion to approve as amended; mover: Council member David Durhall; outcome: approved by unanimous consent; notes: closing resolution includes dedication of 95% of adult marijuana excise tax revenue to a special revenue fund contingent on ordinance changes, and cultural grants language.

- Agenda item 2.4 (Fiscal year 2026 tax statement resolution): Motion to approve; mover: Council member Durhall; outcome: approved by unanimous consent; notes: waiver attached.

- Agenda items 3.1 and 3.2 (Schedule B and council closing resolution/financial priorities): Motion to approve as amended; mover: Council member David Durhall; outcome: approved by unanimous consent; notes: several line-item edits reflected in the adopted Schedule B (see separate Schedule B coverage).

- Agenda item 5.1 (FY 2024-25 supplemental appropriations and transfers): Motion to approve; mover: Council member (moved on the floor); outcome: approved by unanimous consent; notes: waiver attached.

What the council did not do: the session did not adopt new recurring general-fund obligations beyond what was stated in the adopted documents; several commitments were described as midyear or one-time and will require further administrative action or ordinance changes where noted.

Quotations from the meeting include direct motions and staff clarifications. Council member David Durhall moved the cluster of budget items, saying, "I move that we approve line items 2.1 and 2.2 as amended." City staff member Mr. Corley explained how vehicle orders are handled, saying such purchases "wouldn't appear in these documents because no new dollars are required to be appropriated for them."

Next steps: staff said a final second-session spreadsheet reflecting the council's adopted changes will be presented to council and that the administration will circulate a final closing resolution text for review. Council members requested the final language be circulated for review by the next day.

Ending: Council members closed the special session with thanks to staff and colleagues and the meeting was adjourned.