Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
St. Clair Shores holds budget hearing; finance director projects $47.6 million general fund
Summary
At an April 28 budget hearing, city staff outlined a draft fiscal 2025–26 budget with $47.6 million in estimated general-fund revenue, a small projected increase to fund balance, no new full‑time positions and planned pay increases for police and fire reflected in payroll estimates.
St. Clair Shores — City staff on April 28 presented the draft fiscal year 2025–26 budget at a public budget hearing, showing estimated general‑fund revenues of $47,622,958 and proposed expenditures of $47,398,760, leaving a projected increase to the fund balance of $224,198.
The figures were presented by Dustin Lent, city manager, who introduced John Walters, the city’s new finance director. Walters told the council and the public: “our estimated general fund revenues, being $47,622,958 with the expected expenditures being at $47,398,760 for a net, to increase expected to the fund balance, $224,198.”
City staff said the draft would be refined before the council’s final vote later this summer. The presentation noted no planned additions to full‑time staffing next year; the packet also anticipates contract settlements for police and fire and includes a 5% payroll contingency for police, fire and command while union negotiations continue.
Walters and Lent flagged several items that could change the final numbers: a rollback in taxable value tied to the Headlee amendment and Proposition A that reduced assessed values (the packet referenced a 0.98 factor), ongoing contract negotiations with public‑safety unions, and an estimated line item of roughly $300,000 tied to potential bond interest and debt‑service associated with a planned police and fire facility project. Lent cautioned council that the exact bond payment will depend on market rates and loan term decisions.
The hearing also included council questions about smaller revenue items such as charging stations and CDBG transfers for capital projects. Staff described a conservative approach to new revenue streams—for example, charging‑station receipts were listed but held back from conservative estimates until contracts and per‑kWh rates are confirmed.
The council excused one member from the meeting in a brief roll call vote at the start of the hearing. City staff said additional hearings and amendments are typical between the April hearing and the June adoption date required by state law.
Looking ahead, staff said the council could expect further amendments after additional contract negotiations and any grant awards (for example, a possible SAFER or FEMA grant for fire personnel/equipment) that would affect final expenditures and revenue offsets.
