Dearborn Heights council approves equipment purchases, refers several budget items for review and rejects bank‑signer change

The Dearborn Heights City Council on April 22 handled a series of routine and contested items: it approved purchase of new in‑vehicle and dispatch computers and printers for the police department, accepted a federal Justice Assistance Grant, approved several routine motions including claims and parade permission, and referred multiple budget amendments back to administration for further review. The council rejected a motion to update bank signers after a roll‑call vote.

Why it matters: Several of the items touch the city’s finances and operations — notably police equipment purchases funded from federal forfeiture accounts, budget amendments the administration said were needed to cover rising costs, and a defeated proposal to add the mayor and interim comptroller as bank signers. Council members repeatedly asked administration to find alternatives that would not tap the city’s fund balance.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval — Motion to approve the amended agenda for April 22: passed (voice vote).

- Minutes approvals — Special meeting and regular meeting minutes for April 8: both approved (voice votes).

- Current claims and ACH wire transfers (6‑1 through 6‑308) — Motion to approve: passed (voice vote).

- Annapolis High School Homecoming Parade (permission for Sept. 26, 2025) — Motion to grant permission with police and fire approval: passed (voice vote).

- Update…