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Canton council adopts 2026 appropriation after $8.6M in amendments; fair-housing funding questioned
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Summary
Council adopted the 2026 annual appropriation (Ordinance 22) as amended, including roughly $8.6 million in changes across funds; debate focused on the budget amendment package and a $70,000 Fair Housing line removed and replaced by a $66,000 grant, prompting public demand for clearer line-item explanations.
The Canton City Council voted to adopt the city's 2026 annual appropriation ordinance (Ordinance 22) after considering an amendment packet that finance staff said totaled about $8.6 million.
Finance Director walked council through the amendments, which included modest general-fund increases (for example, $20,000 for human resources), targeted capital and sewer project adjustments, and spending adjustments in community development. The director described a $3.6 million add to an electrical replacement project at the Water Reclamation Facility and multi-million-dollar changes in several sewer and membrane projects. "Total changes are $8,600,000," the finance director told the council.
Council questions focused in part on Fair Housing. Several public commenters had urged clearer explanations of a Fair Housing allocation; council member questions prompted the finance director to explain that the $70,000 previously shown in the Fair Housing budget had no revenue backing it and that the department had just been notified of a $66,000 grant. The director said the net technical change was a $4,000 reduction after removing the unsupported $70,000 and adding the $66,000 grant.
Leader Mariel moved to adopt Ordinance 22 as amended; a roll-call vote recorded 11 ayes and no nays, and the ordinance passed.
The council also adopted Ordinance 23 (authorizing vehicles and equipment purchases) as amended to add a forklift for the sign-and-paint division and an SUV for engineering, and Ordinance 24 (specific vehicle purchases), each by roll-call vote.
Public comment before the vote included criticisms of perceived budget priorities. Kimberly Bell told the council she found "Something's not mathing" in the proposed appropriations and urged savings be redirected to homelessness services. Other speakers called for clearer breakdowns of grant 'other' line items and stronger enforcement of victims' rights.
The council closed the meeting with announcements of committee dates and adjourned; the adopted appropriation and ordinance amendments take effect per the emergency language included in the measures.