Burton council amends FY2025–26 budget to add $165,000 for fire/sculpture fund, approves routine bills and schedules roundabout hearing

Burton City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to amend the FY2025–26 budget to add $165,000 to the fire/sculpture fund and approved a slate of routine financial and administrative items, council records show.

Vice President Hall moved and Councilwoman Hixson seconded the budget amendment increasing the fire/sculpture allocation; the motion passed on a roll-call vote in which each council member recorded a “yes.” Councilman Heffner had proposed the increase during discussion, citing available marijuana-related revenue funds. Council members discussed a range of cost estimates supplied by Chief Wilkerson, who reported an estimated total near $200,000 for the statues with roughly $30,000 already raised and some costs already incurred.

The council also approved payment for an attorney billing to Miller Johnson (amount stated in the meeting transcript as “4124”), adopted budget resolution 2025-10, and approved tax millage resolution 2025-11; each was passed by roll-call vote with all members voting in favor. Item 1, introduced by Attorney Belling Odette, also passed as presented.

Separately, the council agreed to add and schedule a public hearing for a proposed roundabout at Belsey and Bristol Road, to be held June 23 at 6 p.m., after the administration said the city was chosen along with the county and MDOT for a safety grant and that two legal notices must be published to meet notification requirements. The administration asked staff to publish the notices in the coming week to meet the publication schedule.

The meeting concluded with the council adjourning and announcing its next regular meeting for June 16 at 7 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Approve agenda — motion by Councilman Heffner; voice vote; approved. • Item 1 — moved as written by Attorney Belling Odette; moved by Councilman Wines; roll-call: Miller, Smith, Heffner, Hixson, Wines, Hall, Fenner = all Yes; carried. • Item 2 — approve and authorize attorney billing ("4124"); moved by Councilman Wines; supported by Councilwoman Hixson; roll-call = all Yes; carried. • Item 3 — FY2025–26 budget amendment: increase fire/sculpture fund by $165,000 and decrease general operating fund balance by $165,000; moved by Vice President Hall; supported by Councilwoman Hixson; roll-call = all Yes; carried. • Item 4 — budget resolution 2025-10; moved by Vice President Hall; roll-call = all Yes; carried. • Item 5 — tax millage resolution 2025-11; moved by Councilman Heffner; roll-call = all Yes; carried. • Item 6 — schedule public hearing for proposed roundabout at Belsey and Bristol Road (hearing June 23 at 6 p.m.); moved by Councilman Heffner; supported by Councilman Wines; roll-call = all Yes; carried.