The Wayne County Zoological Authority on Tuesday approved a $5,000 contract with law firm Lewis and Mundy to help the authority access benefits from the State of Michigan small business taxpayer-exemption program and adopted an amended FY2026 budget to cover the legal fee.

Pam, a staff member who introduced the item, said the authority’s share for 2023 is approximately $5,400 and that the tax-exemption benefit is ongoing. "Earlier in the year, commission staff was contacted by the state of Michigan saying that the zoological authority and the art authority are eligible to receive some benefits from the state of Michigan small business taxpayer exemption program," Pam said during the presentation.

At a board member’s request for clarification, Commissioner Marie asked, "So we're gonna spend 5,000 to get 5,400?" Pam and other staff said the program is continuous and that the 2024 amount was not yet available.

A motion to approve the contract was moved by mister Cass and supported by Mario Morrow. Chair Bell called for the ayes and the chair declared the motion carried.

The board then considered an amended FY2026 budget to include the $5,000 legal fee and noted an $8,000 auditor amount already in the packet. The budget amendment was moved by commission Meraki and supported by David Katz; Chair Bell called for the ayes and the motion carried.

Records in the meeting packet described the state program as a route for the authority to recover or receive eligible tax benefits; the $5,400 figure given by staff was described as an approximate amount for 2023 and officials said the 2024 entitlement figures were not available at the time of presentation. The board did not record a roll-call tally of votes in the transcript beyond the chair’s announcement that the motions carried.

Next steps identified by staff included executing the contract with the law firm and engaging the firm to work with state agencies to attempt to secure the exemption funds for the authority.