Romulus council fills TIFA seat, approves Dell workstation purchase, election tabulator trade-in and Huron Township animal-control pact

Romulus City Council on March 10, 2025 approved multiple administrative and operational items, including the appointment of Issam Fikuri to the cityTax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) board, authorization to piggyback a statewide MiDEAL contract with Dell Marketing LP for 25 computer workstations, a budget amendment to trade in three election tabulators for newer models with associated grant reimbursement, and an intergovernmental agreement to provide animal-control services to Huron Township.

The mayor requested the TIFA appointment, saying Issam Fikuri is "one of the owners of Apex Trust" and has been in the city about 10 years. Council members debated whether TIFA appointees must be Romulus residents; one council member said they had "a hard time with this because he's not a resident of Romulus." The council approved the appointment by roll-call vote (approved 4-1): Talley yes; Croft yes; Abdo no; Jones yes; Chair yes.

Council also authorized administration to piggyback on MiDEAL contract number 071B6600111 with Dell Marketing LP for 25 Dell workstations. The mayor stated the purchase followed recommendations from Jennifer Madison, assistant technology services director, and Christina Parker, purchasing director; Gary Harris, assistant finance director, verified funds. The city presented two slightly different totals in the meeting record: $23,611.63 and $23,006.11. Assistant technology director Jennifer Madison told council the outgoing computers were "end of life, unsupported by the new Windows operating system" and that the old units would go to e-cycle recycling. The motion to approve the purchase passed…