Saginaw council calls May bond election for streets, parks and an animal shelter

Saginawfs City Council voted to place three propositions on a May 2, 2026 bond election: $38 million for street improvements, $6 million for parks and open space, and $15 million for an animal-control facility. The ordinance calling the election passed after council members settled on the proposition amounts and discussed how to present the measures to voters.

Council members said the streets proposition would prioritize McElroy Boulevard and Industrial Avenue, citing safety and capacity concerns. The parks proposition is written broadly to allow flexibility in allocating the $6 million by guidance from the parks master plan and recommendations from the parks board; staff said informational materials will describe prioritized sites and likely improvements. For the animal-control facility, council converged on a $15 million target (site acquisition was discussed separately); consultants had previously estimated options ranging from roughly $10 million to more than $20 million depending on square footage and features.

Mayor (presiding) and staff emphasized that the ordinance only calls the election and that the voters will make the final decision. City manager Gabe said staff will produce an informational mailer, a dedicated web page with background documents and cost estimates, town halls by proposition and site visits so residents can see existing conditions. Bond financial advisor Mark McLaney told the council bond counsel would prepare the formal proposition language and the city will disclose estimated tax impacts as part of the election materials.

Public comment included concerns about limited public documentation available online for the shelter plans and requests for more transparency; an email read into the record urged the council to "build the best and biggest animal shelter we can." Council and staff responded that advisory-board and bond-committee materials will be consolidated on a project web page and that staff will hold additional meetings and public information sessions.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda approval (minutes, auditor engagement): motion passed (consent_agenda_approval). - Ordinance calling bond election (05/02/2026): motion to adopt ordinance with Proposition A — Streets $38,000,000; Proposition B — Parks $6,000,000; Proposition C — Animal Control Facility $15,000,000; motion passed. - Motion to set animal shelter at $16,500,000 failed during discussion; council returned to $15,000,000 and approved the ordinance.

The council directed staff to work with bond counsel on language and with communications staff on an outreach schedule; the mayor said staff will bring back final bond language and supporting materials for public distribution prior to the election.