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Residents press Highland Park council on budget transparency, FOIA and a short water-bill amnesty
Summary
During a public hearing on the FY2026–27 budget, residents raised concerns about unfulfilled FOIA requests for budget documents, criticized a 10-day amnesty for water bills as unfair to residents on fixed incomes, and asked for a resident workshop on tax and deed protections; council members promised follow-up and a potential workshop.
The Highland Park City Council heard multiple residents during a May 18 public hearing on the proposed FY2026–27 budget, including complaints that the administration had not produced budget documents requested through Freedom of Information Act requests and that a recently approved 10-day amnesty for water-bill debt was too short and disadvantaged residents on fixed incomes.
"The council is conducting a public budget hearing tonight while the administration remains an active violation of statutory FOIA obligations on the very budget documents requested from me," resident Joshua Chautier told the council, asking that the record reflect his unfulfilled FOIA requests.
Carla Oliver, who spoke online, criticized the amnesty program and urged a forensic audit. "I'm disappointed in the council members to approve an amnesty that was presented the day before it started and lasted only 10 days," Oliver said, adding that the short window excluded many residents who could not rearrange monthly finances.
Several residents urged the council to hold a public workshop to help residents understand property-tax and deed protections, exemption eligibility, tenant rights and utility-shutoff resources. "I respectfully request that the city council help organize a public community workshop around ... property tax and deed protection," Sarah Grieve said in written comments read into the record.
Council response and follow-up
Council members acknowledged the concerns and discussed next steps. One council member asked for a separate workshop so members could ask direct questions of the budget drafter; another said they would refuse to place water debt on property-tax rolls until residents had a fair opportunity to access amnesty.
The council opened the hearing by roll call and then closed it after public comments; the council requested that administration staff take notes on items raised and agreed to consider a workshop on budget details and resident protections.
Why it matters
Transparency around budget documents and administration responsiveness affects public trust in local government and the ability of residents to assess proposed spending and service levels. The amnesty program, which affects overdue water bills, has distributional consequences for low-income and fixed-income residents.
What’s next
Council members asked staff and legal to follow up on FOIA fulfillment for outstanding requests, to provide information on the proposed budget to council members and to consider a dedicated workshop where members could question budget drafters directly. Residents asked for an extension or a more inclusive amnesty program; one council member said he would withhold support for sending water debt to tax rolls until the amnesty issue was addressed.
