Council approves general fund and other budgets, and authorizes turnout gear purchase

The Auburn Springs Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the city's general fund budget ordinance and several supplemental budgets after a staff presentation outlining revenues, cuts and capital needs.

Staff presented the proposed general fund budget for FY 2026-27 with total revenues of $3,383,819 and noted a $212,000 shortfall resulting from prior revenue sources that have run out. The presentation said the proposed property tax rate would move from 0.7297 to a projected 0.92 to help close the gap if needed; speakers emphasized that grants and sales-tax growth are also part of the revenue strategy.

Council approved the purchase of 10 complete sets of structural turnout gear for the fire department, funded through the Volunteer Firefighters Equipment Training Grant Program. The grant award ($46,332) and the low bid produced a proposed purchase total of $46,720; council motioned and approved the purchase.

Council also approved the State Street Aid budget (total available $324,706) that includes capital outlay for roads, a sanitation budget tied to refuse-collection contract costs ($205,000) noting that the Waste Connections contract expires in October, and a drug fund budget with $2,755 in projected revenue and matching appropriations.

Roll-call votes for the ordinances were recorded in the meeting transcript as affirmative and the items were passed; the transcript records the names of voting members as read during roll call but does not include a full, explicit tally for every item. The council scheduled follow-up for certain capital items and noted staff will bring additional details and any necessary budget amendments to future meetings.