Romulus council hears proposed 2026–27 budget, staff flag modest revenue gains and targeted investments

The Romulus City Council on May 11 held a special public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 fiscal‑year budget and heard a presentation from finance staff on revenue trends, planned capital projects and the schedule for formal appropriation.

Maria, the city finance presenter, told the council that the general fund is tracking above the amended budget for the year and that the administration is using conservative projections for next year. She said state‑shared revenues are estimated to rise about 2 percent and that overall tax revenues are up roughly 2.6 percent; property‑taxable value is estimated to increase about 2.9 percent. She warned that a projected 3.1 percent decline in some revenues reflects the loss of one‑time grants from the current year.

The budget proposal increases investments in the police department, city parks, infrastructure and the motor‑vehicle fund. Maria listed planned fleet purchases that include a fire‑rescue vehicle, a recreation van, a detective F‑150 and several patrol vehicles to be funded through the motor‑vehicle and some forfeiture funds. Major capital road projects noted for 2026 include work on Wade and Superior, Poor Street subdivision, Dorset Street, Harrison and Leroy.

Maria said staff expect a roughly 3 percent increase in expenditures — an amount she described as aligned with recent inflation rates — and reiterated the administration's routine budgeting approach of preserving fund balance by distinguishing needs from wants.

On process, Maria said she will present the General Appropriations Act and the tax levy to council on May 26 with line‑item detail, and that the adopted budget would become effective July 1. The clerk confirmed there were no members of the public in the audience to speak and the council adjourned after the presentation.

The council approved the meeting agenda earlier in the session; no final vote on the budget took place at the hearing. Administration and council members said they will continue to review the detailed 237‑page proposal ahead of the May 26 appropriation vote.