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Warren council hears residents’ concerns over FY2026 budget and proposed water-rate increase
Summary
At a public hearing on April 20, residents urged the Warren City Council to explain a proposed water-rate increase and staffing shortfalls; administration staff provided high-level budget totals and said more detail would come during scheduled departmental hearings.
Warren City Council opened a public hearing on the fiscal year 2025–26 general fund and water budgets on April 20, where several residents raised concerns about water-rate increases and staffing levels in public safety.
Residents said the mayor’s recent budget presentation lacked detail. Laurie Harris, who spoke during the public comment period, said: "There’s very little information" in the mayor's budget presentation and asked when vacant officer positions would be filled. Gloria Sanker told council the mayor's proposal included “another water rate increase” on top of a recent council-driven increase and said seniors on fixed incomes would be harmed.
Assistant Controller Mark Knapp told the council the administration posted the proposed budget on the city website in mid-April. He reported a general fund total of about $152,000,009 and an all-funds total the administration identified as roughly $4.403 billion; he said he had not prepared a formal summary for that night’s hearing. Knapp offered to provide more detailed figures during department hearings.
Speakers pressed for breakdowns of police staffing and equipment. One resident said she was told the budget includes funding for 74 commissioned positions while observing roughly 135 officers currently working; she asked where the funding difference was being spent. Another commenter, who identified herself as a longtime resident, said fire-department equipment line items had been cut and urged the council to press department heads for exact staffing and equipment plans during the scheduled budget hearings.
Council members did not take action that night on the budget; council president Rogan C. opened the hearing, received public comments and closed the hearing, then said departmental budget hearings would continue on Monday and, if necessary, Tuesday. The administration and council said they would provide additional itemized information at those hearings.
Clarifying details recorded during the hearing include the administration’s stated general fund total and the all-funds tally above (figures provided by Mark Knapp at the hearing); the public repeatedly requested a line‑by‑line explanation of how public-safety dollars would be spent and how many sworn officers current appropriations are intended to cover.
The council did not adopt or approve the budget at this meeting; the public hearing was informational and will be followed by scheduled budget hearings and department presentations. Council president Rogan C. and other members invited residents to the Saturday budget hearings at 9 a.m. in Conference Room A for detailed departmental review.
