Mount Clemens commission adopts FY2026-27 budget, approves contracts and three union agreements

The Mount Clemens City Commission on record during its regular meeting approved the citys fiscal year 2026-27 annual budget and a package of related fiscal and operational measures, including budget amendments, special assessments for delinquent bills, a transit grant contract, nonprofit recognitions and three collective bargaining agreements.

City Manager Greg Shipman told the commission that the recommended FY2026-27 general appropriations act follows a budget work session and a public hearing, and that required public-notice steps had been completed. "Following the budget work session and public hearing process, administration is recommending approval of the City of Mount Clemens fiscal year 2026/2027 annual budget and general appropriations act resolution," Shipman said. The commission approved the budget by roll call.

Commissioners also approved a set of budget amendments for fiscal year 2025-26 that adjust revenue and expenditure lines to reflect recent grants and activity. Shipman summarized the principal changes: revenue adjustments for CDBG, U.S. DOT and public safety grants increasing revenues by about $285,200; an $85,100 revenue adjustment tied to state marijuana fees; and grant-fund revenues and related reimbursements of $4,928,500 for the Victory Inn and the new City Hall projects.

"The overall effect of these amendments is increased to the budget surplus by approximately $413,200," Shipman said in explaining the net balance of proposed changes. Commissioners discussed specific items, including a roughly $53,000 one-time increase for new cloud software and training costs and the decision to rebudget larger capital items into FY2027.

The commission voted to place delinquent utility and general-billing amounts on the city's summer 2026 tax roll for collection, as recommended by administration. Shipman read the roll totals: Special Assessment Roll 26-01 for delinquent utility bills at $20,001.89 and Roll 26-02 for delinquent general bills at $159,008.75, including sidewalk, weed-cutting and vacant- and rental-registration delinquencies.

On intergovernmental and contract matters, commissioners approved a contract with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) to accept $46,080 in federal operations grant funding to continue Dial-A-Ride senior-shopper transportation (routes to Meijer, Kroger and Walmart). Shipman said the grant funding will pass through SMART to the city and that the contract had been reviewed by the city attorney.

The commission also approved local-governing-body resolutions recognizing the Macomb Foundation and the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce as nonprofit organizations for the purpose of obtaining state charitable-gaming raffle licenses. Shipman noted both organizations operate at 28 1st Street and described their IRS designations.

Labor agreements were a further major action: the commission ratified three collective bargaining agreements between the city and the Government Employees Labor Council covering the clerical unit, the Department of Public Works unit and the crew leaders unit for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Administration said tentative agreements had been reached and reviewed by the city attorney; each motion passed on roll-call votes.

Why it matters: the budget and amendments set the citys spending and revenue priorities for services, capital projects and grant-driven work; placing delinquencies on the tax roll is the citys primary collection mechanism for unpaid utility and enforcement charges; the SMART grant preserves transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities; and the collective bargaining agreements set terms for multiple employee groups through mid-2028.

During public comment, resident Nikki Weiss thanked Mount Clemens businesses and volunteers for supporting a high-school prom that served students across the region. Commissioners used their remarks to congratulate staff on a recent Department of Treasury assessment that designated the local unit substantially compliant and to promote upcoming community events.

The commission ended its meeting with routine announcements and a motion to adjourn.