Committee Approves Recommendations on Ticket Surcharge, Volunteer Network, Budget Transparency and Website

The Financial Review Committee approved a package of non‑tax recommendations to improve transparency and advance several policy items.

Ticket surcharge and state coordination: members asked staff to work with lobbyists and Michigan State University on a ticket-surcharge approach for entertainment events. The committee noted that a previously introduced state bill (Senate Bill 1148) discussed similar authority but did not pass in the last session; members recommended reintroduction or coordination with other university communities.

Volunteer network: the committee approved creating a trained citizen volunteer network to help with outreach, information dissemination, and public education (including work related to proposed ballot measures). Ann described the group as a non‑employee, resident-based body that can assist city communications and improve public understanding.

Balanced-budget language: the committee adopted revised balanced-budget language asking that the city manager propose a general-fund budget with expenditures equal to revenues except for planned, listed uses of fund balance; any planned uses should be enumerated with the proposed budget so council and the public can review them.

Financial website consolidation: committee members recommended the finance department create a one-stop website location for budget documents, quarterly reports, and annual financial statements, and discussed future enhancements such as a standardized format and interactive dashboard for public use.

The committee will include these recommendations in its final report to city council and suggested staff provide implementation timelines and any fiscal impacts for council consideration.