Alma City Commission adopts FY2027 budget, adjusts millage rates

The Alma City Commission on a recorded motion adopted its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and approved associated millage rates, including a reduction in the general fund millage and small adjustments for other levies.

Staff summarized the budget and millage changes, saying the general fund millage will fall to 13.9555 (from 14.1078 last year), the transportation millage will remain at 0.8 mills, the street improvement millage will be 3.4338, and the VA district millage will be 1.9463. "The general fund millage did go down, to 13.9555," a staff member reported during the presentation.

The commission voted to adopt the budget after a motion to adopt. Commissioners also approved fiscal year 2026 budget amendments that added $37,000 to the public works sidewalk legal-fee line and increased building inspection expenditure and corresponding demolition-fee revenue by $25,100 tied to reimbursement for a dangerous-building demolition at 702 Gratiot.

Staff noted library funding options under the Libraries Act and discussed a potential voter-authorized additional mill for library capital. Staff said the city may levy up to 2 mills for library operations and capital, with one mill levied by the elected body and an additional mill requiring voter approval; staff estimated a roughly 0.6-mill ballot proposal could cover the library's identified 10-year capital needs while annual building maintenance is about $80,000.

The meeting packet and staff report also included a treasury-bill investment ratification and the annual insurance renewal, which the commission approved as part of routine financial business. The commission voted to pay appropriations as presented.

What happens next: the adopted millage rates will be levied as set for FY2027 and budget amendments take effect per the approved motions.