Candidates say millage shortfall and state revenue sharing drive tough budget choices

Forum participants described a multi-year budget strain that will require service reductions or reallocation of funds. Candidates referenced the recent Headlee/override discussions: Laura Michalski said the city anticipated cuts even if a larger override had passed, and Quinn Ziegler warned the city “runs out of money” around the time an expiring millage would lapse. Multiple speakers said Michigan statutory revenue sharing has declined, reducing Ferndale’s operating revenue; candidates framed state-level policy as an important external factor to remedy through advocacy.

Why it matters: Local programs and facilities depend on predictable revenue. Speakers said the city must weigh cuts, reallocate for basic services and pursue state-level fixes to statutory revenue sharing shortfalls.

Details discussed: Ziegler and Sabertini cited documents and audits. Sabertini referenced a 2024 financial statement to illustrate department variances and said the city has lost roughly $8–9 million since 2020 in revenue sharing (candidates attributed the figure to prior state actions). Michalski and Ziegler urged collective advocacy in Lansing to restore funding. Candidates proposed examining departmental budgets and tracking capital needs to avoid deferring costs that compound later. No vote or formal budget action occurred at the forum.

Ending: Speakers urged residents to hold state officials accountable and to expect budget trade-offs at the local level; they pledged to communicate fiscal choices transparently if elected.