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Farmington Hills council adopts 2025–26 budget after debate over DEI funding
Summary
After prolonged public comment and council debate over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming, the Farmington Hills City Council adopted the fiscal 2025–26 budget with an amendment to revisit DEI-related staffing and budget items if federal executive orders are later overturned by the courts.
The Farmington Hills City Council adopted the fiscal 2025–26 city budget and set 2025 property tax millage rates on June 9 after extended discussion about the city’s DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programming and the risk of losing federal funding tied to executive directives.
Finance Director Tom Scobold introduced the budget plan, telling the council the city’s taxable value rose about 4.39 percent and general fund revenues for 2025–26 were projected at about $83.25 million. The proposed budget included four additional full‑time firefighters to fully staff all five fire stations, a senior human resources analyst, a $100,000 allocation for public art and a $49 million capital program that includes $33.8 million for local major roads. Scobold said the budget anticipates drawing down fund balance by roughly $4 million for the coming year.
Why it matters: Council members and dozens of residents urged the city to preserve its DEI office and staff, saying those efforts support recruitment, accessibility and a sense of belonging in the community. City leaders said they must also protect federal grant funding used for road repairs, senior services and other programs. The council approved the budget with an amendment stating the council will hold a study session to revisit the human resources and employee development budgeting if presidential executive orders and related directives affecting DEI are ultimately declared unconstitutional by a final federal decision.
Council and public debate focused on two competing priorities: maintaining DEI programming and avoiding the loss of federal funds. Dozens of residents and advocacy group representatives addressed the council during the public‑hearing portion of the meeting. Resident Joshua Taylor, a disability‑access advocate, said eliminating DEI “targets my friends, my girlfriend, and thousands of residents and visitors” and urged council members to preserve policies that promote equity. Several other commenters including Daryl Conliff, Sue Ross, Fergo (Fergal) Amayo, Angie Smith and Eric Kidner described DEI as central to making Farmington Hills welcoming and urged council members not to dismantle the office.
Councilmembers gave differing legal and policy views. Some members, citing a Department of Transportation memorandum and related federal guidance, said staff were told accepting certain federal grants would require certifications of compliance with recent executive directives and that refusing to adapt could jeopardize millions in federal funds, including money used for road projects and senior services. Other councilmembers, including Bridges and Boulware, said the city moved too quickly on the issue and that the DOT memorandum did not define DEI or provide a legal basis for eliminating the city’s direct DEI staffing.
After debate the council adopted the budget resolution (CMR 62586) with an amendment that directs the city to hold a council study session to reconsider the human resources budget and related items if federal executive orders and directives addressing DEI are subsequently declared unconstitutional by final judicial action. The motion passed by roll call vote (Yes: Noel, Aldred, Bruce, Merrich; No: Bollaware, Bridges, Dwyer).
