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Brighton council adopts 2025–26 budget, fee schedule and tax levy; approves grants, street engineering and public-safety purchases
Summary
At its May meeting the Brighton City Council adopted the 2025–26 city budget and fee schedule, set the 2025–26 millage, authorized a MDOT grant application, approved several public-safety and streets actions and adopted arts and event items. Most motions passed unanimously.
Brighton City Council on a May 2025 evening adopted the city'wide fiscal 2025'26 budget, approved the municipal fee schedule and set the city'wide tax levy, while also approving a slate of infrastructure, safety and cultural items.
The council adopted Resolution 2025-10 to approve the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, approved Resolution 2025-12 to adopt the fee schedule for that fiscal year, and approved Resolution 2025-13 to establish the 2025-26 millage at 17.6638 mills. Council also approved a new list of projects and contracts, including design and construction engineering services for several local street repairs, a grant application to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for a mill-and-overlay project on South Third Street, the purchase of security cameras for water infrastructure, and installation of solar crosswalk signage at two downtown intersections. The Brighton Arts & Cultural Commission's recommendations for four new sculptures also were approved.
Why it matters: The budget, millage and fee schedule set the city's operating priorities and the tax burden for the year ahead. The engineering and grant approvals position the city to begin multiple street projects this construction season. Approvals of water-system cameras and crosswalk lighting respond to safety and security priorities raised in recent months.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-10, Adopt 2025-26 budget: motion to adopt made by Council member Gibson, seconded by Council member Albert; roll call vote recorded as unanimous in favor; outcome: adopted.
- Resolution 2025-12, Adopt fee schedule for 2025-26: motion made by Council member Gibson, seconded by Council member Albert; roll call vote recorded as unanimous in favor; outcome: adopted.
- Resolution 2025-13, Establish levy and authorize collection of taxes for 2025-26 (17.6638 mills): motion made by Council member Gardner, seconded by Council member Schmank; roll call vote recorded as unanimous in favor; outcome: adopted.
- Approval to apply for MDOT Economic Development Fund (Category B) grant for mill-and-overlay of South Third Street (application authorizes requesting $197,000 with $264,000 committed local match): motion made by Council member Gibson, seconded by Council member Schmank; roll call vote recorded as unanimous in favor; outcome: authorized (application submission only; acceptance of any award requires later council action).
- Approval of design and construction engineering services proposals from Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc., for Glenwith, Robertson, Sisu(n)ol and Rita Ann streets (not to exceed $161,230) with direction to return with engineering for Oak Ridge Court/adjacent strip: motion made by Council member Gibson, seconded by Council member Gardner; amended on the floor to add Oak Ridge Court engineering and accepted by maker and seconder; roll call vote recorded as unanimous in favor; outcome: approved.
- Purchase and installation of surveillance cameras and equipment for city water towers and booster stations (Essential Electric LLC) not to exceed $67,000 (uses previously allocated AWIA/safety funds): motion made by Council member Pettengill, seconded by Council member Gardner; outcome: approved.
- Approval of solar-powered, lighted crosswalk signage at Main & Sixth Street and Chalice & Carl Grama Drive (Severance Electric) not to exceed $42,985 with related budget amendments: motion made by Council member Gardner, seconded by Council member Pettengill; outcome: approved. Staff will return with installation timing and wiring/timer details following coordination with the vendor.
- Approval of Brighton Arts & Cultural Commission recommendations for four sculptures to be placed as presented (placement and sponsorship details in commission packet): motion made by Council member Schmank, seconded by Council member Albert; outcome: approved.
- Amendment to Taste of Brighton civic-event permit to allow a daytime boat regatta and nighttime fireworks on the Mill Pond: motion made by Council member Gibson, seconded by Council member Pettengill; the motion included conditions (see separate article). The council approved the amendment with conditions.
Context and next steps
Council members complimented staff for putting the budget together and emphasized the need to balance neighborhood pavement projects and larger arterial needs. For several engineering and construction items staff will return with bid documents, alternates or updated cost estimates before contracts are executed. The MDOT grant application is only an application; acceptance of any award will be a separate council action. Several approvals included follow-up conditions: insurance, indemnification, and attorney review where noted in staff reports.
Officials and staff said they will publish details on timelines and planned outages as bids come back and as they schedule work for the 2025 construction season.
