Walled Lake council approves expanded July Fourth event, DDA funding and 2026 tax measures

WALLED LAKE — The City Council on [date] approved a package of event and fiscal items, including a special-event agreement allowing the Walled Lake Civic Fund to stage an expanded Fourth of July celebration on DDA and city property, a DDA budget amendment to reimburse fireworks costs up to $30,000, the city’s 2026 millage resolution and placement of delinquent water and refuse charges on the summer tax roll.

The agreement with the Walled Lake Civic Fund authorizes use of specified DDA and city property for fireworks, food trucks, a beer tent, a live-entertainment stage and children’s activities. City attorney (S3) told the council the document ‘‘is subject to the terms and conditions in the agreement, which primarily deal with liability provisions’’ and noted the insurance and hold-harmless language were drafted with input from MMRMA, the city’s risk manager.

Council member Ryan (S11) moved to approve the special-event agreement; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. Recorded roll-call responses show all voting members in attendance approved the agreement.

Separately, the Downtown Development Authority budget amendment (Resolution 20-26-10) was approved to support the Civic Fund’s fireworks expenses ‘‘not to exceed $30,000,’’ with a requirement that proof of receipts be submitted before refunds are released, the DDA representative (S10) said. The DDA amendment was adopted by roll call.

The council also approved the city’s millage resolution for the 2026 tax roll, to be billed starting July 1, 2026. Finance staff (S10) noted the prior-year city operating millage figure of 13.716 but reminded members that changes in assessments by other taxing authorities can make taxpayers’ bills rise even when the local millage rate is reduced. ‘‘The millage rate is down,’’ City Manager Dennis (S7) said during the budget discussion, ‘‘but when you’re talking to your constituents and their taxes went up, it’s hard to tell them you didn’t raise their taxes.’’

Council also voted to place $85,071.21 in delinquent water, sewer and refuse assessments (from more than a dozen parcels) on the 2026 summer tax roll; the dollar amount was supplied by finance staff (S10).

In a separate procedural action after a brief closed session called under the Open Meetings Act, section 8(a), the council approved Resolution 2026-13 on a 6–1 roll-call vote (Gunther cast the lone no vote).

What the council voted on (at a glance) • Special-event agreement with the Walled Lake Civic Fund — motion carried (recorded roll call: Woods, Ambrose, Arnold, Black, O’Rourke, Xin Zheng, Gunther: all recorded yes). • DDA budget amendment (Resolution 20-26-10) to support fireworks, not to exceed $30,000 — adopted (roll call: yes). • Millage resolution (Resolution 26-11) for the 2026 tax roll — adopted (roll call: yes). • Delinquent water/refuse assessments of $85,071.21 placed on 2026 summer tax roll — adopted (Locke moved; Ambrose second; roll call: yes). • Resolution 2026-13 (closed-session personnel matter) — adopted 6–1 (Gunther no).

Why it matters The approvals allow a larger, carnival-like July Fourth event that will include alcohol sales and require additional insurance and permits; the city and DDA will provide financial support only after receipts are provided. The DDA amendment and the decision to add delinquent utility charges to the tax roll have immediate fiscal consequences for the city’s current-year accounts and property owners listed as delinquent.

Next steps Staff will finalize the agreement and post the signed contract to the city website. The DDA will require proof of receipts before disbursement; the finance department will add the delinquent charges to the summer tax bills. The council’s next substantive deadline on the budget is the third Tuesday in June, when the city must formally adopt the fiscal-year budget.