Commission keeps water and sewer rates unchanged, approves fleet purchases and budget overview

Following the Safe Routes vote, the commission approved several routine but consequential items.

Water and sewer rates: City Manager Charles recommended no change to water and sewer rates for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 fiscal year, citing the strong reserve position in the utility fund and recent adjustments by Grand Rapids (wholesale supplier). The commission approved a resolution keeping rates unchanged.

Fleet/MURF purchases: Public Works recommended $569,000 of vehicle and equipment replacements for FY 2026–27, plus a 15% contingency, and described initial steps to transition some vehicles to hybrid-electric power and pilot EVs for non-emergency functions. The commission authorized the purchases and allowed staff to place orders and sell replaced units at public auction.

Consent agenda and budget overview: The commission approved the consent agenda items and then heard a work-session overview of the proposed fiscal 2026–27 budget. City Manager Charles summarized total proposed funds of roughly $37.6 million, general-fund revenues of about $15.2 million, a recommended addition to fund balance of ~$260,000 and a millage rate of 13.8599. Major items flagged for 2026–27 included continued street programs, water/sewer capital work (including lead-service-line replacement progress), and advancing design work on the waterfront park. Staff noted health-insurance cost volatility and a pending state road-funding stream that may provide an estimated $736,000 but could be subject to legal challenge.

No detailed roll-call tallies for votes were included in the meeting transcript for these agenda items; the meeting minutes will reflect official vote counts.