Romulus council adopts FY2025–26 budget and tax levy, approves park drainage work and several administrative items

The Romulus City Council adopted the city’s General and Special Appropriations Act and tax levy authorization for fiscal years 2025–26 at its May 27 regular meeting, and approved a series of administrative and capital items including a change order for work at Mary Anne Banks Park and an appointment to the Downtown Development Authority.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the appropriations act and tax levy authorization, which the finance staff said keeps the operating millage unchanged from last year at 9.406 mills. Councilmembers made the motion to adopt the budget as submitted by Mayor McCrae; the motion was supported and passed by roll call.

The council also approved a $20,000 subrecipient agreement with Wayne County for HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for fiscal 2024–25. The motion to “concur with administration and approve the attached subrecipient agreement with Wayne County for HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the fiscal years 2024 to 2025 in the amount of $20,000” passed by unanimous roll call.

On capital work, the council approved Change Order No. 1 to bid award ITB232410 for additional drainage and concrete work at Mary Anne Banks Park. The change order, to Premier Group Associates, was approved with a cost not to exceed $10,000 to add court drainage and concrete work at the park.

The mayor’s office appointment of Jay Kuderick to the Downtown Development Authority, with a term to expire Aug. 26, 2027, was confirmed by the council by roll call vote.

The council authorized a temporary road closure for the city’s Juneteenth community celebration: closure of Hunt Street from Bivens Street to the post office entrance on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The motion to concur with administration and authorize the closure passed unanimously.

The council also approved a procurement action to piggyback on an Omnia Partners contract for Microsoft Office LTSC licenses from Zones LLC. The motion described a purchase of Microsoft Office 2024 LTSC professional-plus and standard licenses; the packet included a cost figure of $19,726.44, though a later spoken figure in the meeting differed (see clarifying details). The council approved the purchase by unanimous roll call.

Other administrative actions approved included: - Adoption of the City of Romulus municipal fee schedule for fiscal 2025–26, effective July 1, 2025. - Scheduling a 30-minute study session for Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:45 p.m. to discuss the 2017 CIP bond refunding (request from Finance Director Maria Farris). - Approval of warrant number 25-10 for checks totaling $651,197.29 across city funds, by roll call.

Most votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous. The meeting opened with reports from the mayor’s office and the economic development director, including updates on local business outreach with SEMCOG and park planting events. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:04 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Adopt General & Special Appropriations Act and tax levy authorization (FY2025–26): approved (roll call unanimous). Operating millage reported unchanged at 9.406 mills. - Approve CDBG subrecipient agreement with Wayne County ($20,000): approved (roll call unanimous). - Appoint Jay Kuderick to Downtown Development Authority (term to 08/26/2027): approved (roll call unanimous). - Approve Change Order No. 1 to ITB232410 — Mary Anne Banks Park (court drainage and concrete), Premier Group Associates, cost not to exceed $10,000: approved (roll call unanimous). - Authorize street closure for Juneteenth (Hunt Street, 6/21/2025, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.): approved (roll call unanimous). - Piggyback Omnia Partners contract (Zones LLC) for Microsoft Office 2024 LTSC licenses (packet: $19,726.44; spoken number later differed): approved (roll call unanimous). - Adopt municipal fee schedule (effective 07/01/2025): approved (roll call unanimous). - Study session scheduled (06/09/2025, 6:45 p.m.) on 2017 CIP bond refunding: approved (roll call unanimous). - Approve warrant 25-10 (total $651,197.29): approved (roll call unanimous).

The council’s actions primarily consisted of routine budget and administrative approvals, a limited capital change order for park drainage, and event/ procurement authorizations. No items were tabled or failed. The council closed the meeting after completing the published agenda.