Dearborn council adopts balanced FY 2025–26 budget, holds millage at 22.9

The Dearborn City Council voted unanimously May 6 to adopt the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and keep the 2025 city tax rate at 22.9 mills after a presentation by Finance Director Michael Kennedy and brief public comment.

Michael Kennedy, the finance director, presented the executive financial summary and the key figures behind the proposal. He said the proposed general‑fund revenues are $151,773,603 with proposed general‑fund expenditures of $151,356,914, producing an operating surplus of $416,689. "Total revenues for all funds are $392,161,027. Expenditures are proposed at $380,568,552," Kennedy said, adding that the proposed all‑funds surplus is $11,592,475. He also confirmed the proposed total millage rate for the 2025 tax year is 22.9, unchanged from the previous year.

The council and finance staff described adjustments made since the mayor’s May 1 proposal. Kennedy said the budget adds a four‑person catch‑basin clean crew to perform preventative maintenance across the city; it removes $111,000 in clerk election wages and $75,000 in other election operating expenses because there will be no primary; it funds three new police officers; and it expands the Clean Streets crew by four full‑time positions and adds three additional full‑time code enforcement officers.

During public comment, resident Dennis Duggan urged elected officials to maintain active engagement with residents. Duggan also questioned whether the additional police positions were the result of a needs analysis or driven by charter or contract obligations: "Can you just say, or tell me whether the addition of the officers had to do with a needs analysis...as opposed to the charter and the chartered line?" The chair said the hires were an operational and deployment decision and that the mayor and police leadership would manage deployment. The mayor added that the three officers were intended to expand the traffic unit focused on speeding and reckless driving, and that the officers are expected to work Ford Road between Southfield and Telegraph during 6–8 p.m.

Robert Plowski, a Wayne County member of the Smart Advisory Council, introduced himself in public comment and offered the council and staff assistance on transit and bus‑shelter issues. He also praised the mayor’s sustainability projects.

The motion to adopt the budget and the tax rate was offered by Councilman Hamoud and supported by Councilwoman Herrick. The clerk called the roll; seven council members voted yes and the chair announced the budget adopted. The council then adjourned to its 7:00 p.m. regular meeting.

The budget document presented at the hearing shows the city’s allocation priorities, including public‑works preventative maintenance, public‑safety staffing, and code enforcement staffing increases. Questions raised about the scope and analysis behind new officer positions were answered in the meeting as operational decisions tied to collective bargaining and deployment plans rather than immediate charter changes.