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Akron council adopts 2026–27 budget, approves package of ordinances and utility changes
Summary
The Village of Akron on March 17 adopted the 2026–2027 budget, approved a bundle of ordinances and a mutual-aid resolution, authorized a $350 online payment portal fee and modest April 1 water/sewer rate increases; council also set a March 20 grant filing deadline for a water project.
AKRON, Mich. — The Village of Akron Council on March 17 adopted its 2026–2027 budget and approved a slate of ordinances and operational changes, while staff and elected officials signaled urgency on applying for water-infrastructure grant funds.
Council President R. Huizar opened the meeting at 6:02 p.m. and the council unanimously approved the previous meeting minutes and bills and payroll totaling $30,067.31. By motion, the council adopted the proposed 2026–2027 budget (motion by M. Strasz, second by T. Nusz); the motion passed 5–0.
The council also approved a package of ordinances in separate motions, each passing unanimously. The approved ordinances include State of Construction Ordinance #1115; Fireworks Ordinance #1310; Dogs Ordinance #1360; Open Burn Ordinance #1370; Building Codes Ordinance #1210; Parking Ordinance #1420; Disorderly Conduct Ordinance #9016-B; ORV and Golf Cart Ordinance #1303; Trash Ordinance #1050; Amended Water Ordinance #1000-A; Openings and Obstructions Ordinance #1410; Weed Ordinance #1110; and Special Events Ordinance #97. Councilmembers tabled consideration of the Farm Animals ordinance for further review.
On utilities, Akron Village Clerk Charlynn Wilson reported a $1.00 increase in the water rate and a $0.44 increase in the sewer rate effective April 1, 2026. The council approved a one-time $350 fee to enable BS&A’s online payment portal for credit/debit card and online bill payments (motion by T. Tait, second J. Carr; 5–0). Public Works employee S. Bills said the village installed a new water service on S. Main St. and identified a storm-drain issue on N. Main St. that will require repair. Bills said the village intends to apply for the full amount of available funding for a water project; the filing deadline is March 20.
The council approved several small operational items: a $650 purchase of a backpack leaf blower (motion by M. Strasz, second J. Carr; 5–0) and Resolution 7-2026, an amendment to the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Association (MI-MABAS) agreement (motion by T. Tait, second T. Nusz; 5–0).
Fire Department representatives reported recent training completions — H2S training on Jan. 26 (cost shared with Fairgrove) and CPR/AED refreshers on Feb. 23 (in cooperation with Caro) — and said a Feb. 22 spaghetti fundraiser raised $1,121. Search-and-rescue training is scheduled for March 23.
During public comment, Nancy Barrios told the council the meeting time had been listed incorrectly on the village website; Clerk Wilson said J. Fetting corrected the listing. Barrios also raised concerns about vacant-business ordinances and six intersections around Caro that she said need safety reviews; she noted a public meeting on those intersections scheduled for April 2 at 7 p.m. in the People’s Building in Caro.
A police department representative summarized patrol activity, saying, "We are still very visible and will continue to be." The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. (motion by M. Strasz, second T. Nusz; 5–0). Minutes were signed and submitted by Akron Village Clerk Charlynn Wilson.
What’s next: staff indicated the village will file for the water-project grant by the March 20 deadline; the Farm Animals ordinance will return to a future agenda for further review.
