Franklin council adopts 2026 tax-rate request, directs sign-ordinance amendment, appoints Main Street director and authorizes police hire

Following a public hearing on the FY2026–27 draft budget, Village Council adopted the 2026 tax-rate request for submission to Oakland County and the Michigan Department of Treasury. The resolution authorized specific millage rates to be levied for the 2026 tax year, including general operating at 3.4106 mils; fire (charter) 0.8786 mils and fire (voted) 0.4959 mils; library (nonvoted) 0.5856 mils and library (voted) 0.1974 mils; rubbish 0.7985 mils; roads 2.488 mils; and police 0.3664 mils. The clerk and president were directed to sign and file the L-4029 form with the appropriate agencies.

Council then debated the village sign ordinance. Trustees discussed First Amendment constraints and content neutrality while considering whether to increase the number of temporary/portable signs allowed per property. By motion (mover: Angelina Solaca; 2nd: David Goldberg) the council directed staff to draft a zoning text amendment to increase portable/temporary signs from three to four, remove the corner-lot frontage variation, and forward the amendment to the planning commission for review. The motion passed on roll-call vote (recorded votes as transcribed in the meeting minutes below).

The council approved a resolution appointing Evan (appointed at the meeting) as the village’s official Main Street director and discussed the need for the HR/people committee to clarify duties and compensation limits to avoid overcommitment. Finally, Chief Lawson requested authority to replace Officer Roger Wessel, who is leaving in early June; the council authorized the chief to hire a replacement under the collective bargaining agreement and indicated the new hire may start at a step below the departing officer.