Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Macomb County adopts FY2026 budget; board also approves hazard plan, levy for Martha T. Berry
Loading...
Summary
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners adopted the FY2026 comprehensive general appropriations ordinance and approved multiple resolutions at its Nov. 20 meeting, including a levy to fund capital improvements at the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility. The board also adopted the county hazardous mitigation plan and moved a property-transfer item back to committee.
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 20 adopted the fiscal year 2026 comprehensive general appropriations ordinance and approved several additional measures, including a levy to support capital improvements at the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility and a county hazard-mitigation plan.
Commissioner Kraft moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-O2, with Commissioner Wallace supporting the motion. The vote to adopt the FY2026 budget ordinance was recorded as 13 to 0. During discussion, the board’s vice chair addressed recent press coverage that characterized the budget as “cutting 18 and a half positions,” saying the phrasing was misleading: the board is not laying off current employees, the vice chair said, but rather is not approving certain proposed new positions in the county executive’s budget.
“I have read in about 4 or 5 different news articles that we are cutting 18 and a half positions,” the vice chair said, adding that the board was not authorizing layoffs. Chair (unnamed in the record) praised the finance department for its work during an “improved” budget process and said the board will pursue more frequent monthly conversations with departments to track real-time needs.
The board also approved Resolution 2025-14288, adopting the Macomb County 2025–2030 Hazard Mitigation Plan by a unanimous 13–0 vote. Separately, Resolution 2025-14186 — a proposal to levy the county to support capital improvements at the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility — was adopted on a divided vote, 8–5, with Commissioners Goicky, Groat, Kraft, Romano and Sabatini recorded as voting no.
Another notable procedural action: the board moved Resolution 2025-14157 (a transfer of certain county real property to Macomb Community College) back to the Government Oversight committee for further review; that referral passed 12–1 (Commissioner Zinner voting no). The chair specified the oversight committee meeting date as Dec. 2.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-O2, FY2026 comprehensive general appropriations ordinance — Adopted 13–0. - Resolution 2025-14288, Macomb County 2025–2030 Hazard Mitigation Plan — Adopted 13–0. - Resolution 2025-14186, Levy to support capital improvements at Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility — Adopted 8–5 (Goicky, Groat, Kraft, Romano, Sabatini voted no). - Resolution 2025-14157, Transfer county real property to Macomb Community College — Referred back to Government Oversight committee, referral adopted 12–1 (Zinner voted no). - Resolution 2025-14470, deeming prosecuting attorney positions necessary (Public Act 329 of 1925, as amended) — Adopted 13–0. - Appointment: Dickinson Wright P.L.L.C., independent counsel (effective Dec. 1, 2025) — Adopted 12–0 (voice/roll confirmations recorded in the minutes).
What happens next The chair noted budget amendments may occur during the fiscal year as needs arise and said the board will work more closely with departments in a continuous-improvement effort. The property-transfer item will return to the Government Oversight committee on Dec. 2 for further consideration. The hazard-mitigation plan and budget ordinance are effective per the board’s usual procedures unless otherwise noted in the ordinance text.
