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After heated debate, Ypsilanti council forwards citizen petition on police funding to county clerk and governor
Summary
Council certified a citizen petition seeking a charter amendment limiting police expenditures and voted to forward the certificate and ballot language to the Washtenaw County Clerk and governor after rejecting an amendment to add a council-produced statement of purpose.
The Ypsilanti City Council voted to forward a certificate of sufficiency for a citizen petition on police funding to the Washtenaw County Clerk and the governor, a ministerial step required before state review. The petition would, if approved by voters, limit the city’s police expenditures to the previous fiscal year’s level unless a majority of citywide voters approve an increase.
Council debate focused less on certifying signatures—an administrative requirement—and more on whether to attach a council‑written ‘statement of purpose’ or caption. City legal staff cautioned council to avoid partisan or prejudicial wording in the statement; the attorney noted the statement of purpose must identify the charter section being amended and remain neutral and concise (100 words or fewer). An amendment to add a purpose statement failed on the council floor; members argued that adding a caption risked appearing biased and could invite legal challenge.
Opponents of the amendment urged that the council should accurately explain the petition’s potential governance and budgetary effects to the public. Councilmember McLean warned that the petition “fundamentally changes the role…of the city manager, the city council and the budget process,” and said it risked leaving the city without a timely budget in years when required wage or legal obligations force an increase in police costs. Supporters said forwarding the certificate was a ministerial duty and that detailed context for voters could be addressed later.
The council approved sending the certificate and the petition’s ballot language to the county clerk and governor; the petition will undergo review by the attorney general and governor under state law. The council also discussed scheduling the statement of purpose separately if needed; the attorney said the council has time (generally at least 90 days before an election) but urged clarity and neutrality if they prepare one.
The action does not itself change budget or charter language; it moves the citizen‑initiated process into the formal state review channels.
