City manager flags possible millage override, outlines water-meter rollout and road work

City Manager Lisa told the Lincoln Park City Council that the administration will present the proposed budget on May 11 and asked council to consider the possibility of a Headlee override to generate roughly $2.4 million in additional general-fund revenue to preserve capital projects and staff levels.

"This would help'keep from having to reduce capital expenditures, keep staffing levels as they are, and potentially add some increased services back to the city," Lisa said, describing the prospective increase as general-fund related and not tied to roads or water-and-sewer funds. She added the city is awaiting a bond rating connected to a road bond sale and said a lower rating could require a private sale with higher interest rates.

Lisa also updated the council on public-works activity: ongoing road work (mill-and-overlay, full reconstructions, skim coating), imminent lane reductions for Goddard Road during skim-coating operations, and continued leak-detection work (about 30% of the city work remains). She urged residents to be patient and to watch for schedule updates on the city website.

On the mandatory water-meter change program, Lisa acknowledged resident confusion after the first billing cycle that combined old- and new-meter reads on the printed bill. She explained the bill broke out the "water charge" line, but "when you add all of them up, it's usage from your old meter and your new meter," and the city has verified the totals are accurate. Lisa said the program is mandatory, letters have been sent to three districts so far, crews work primarily Monday through Thursday into the evening as needed, and repeated nonresponse could lead to service shutoffs.

Why it matters: A Headlee override would affect property tax rates and generate meaningful general-fund revenue that could avert cuts to services. The meter-replacement program affects billing for thousands of residents and is tied to the city's effort to reduce water loss; billing confusion and nonresponse have prompted resident complaints and requests for follow-up from city staff.

What happens next: Lisa will present the budget on May 11 and council may schedule additional study sessions. The administration said it will continue outreach for the meter program (additional appointment days and follow-up letters) and provide updates on leak-detection results and the city's bond rating.