Council Budget Work Session

MINUTES COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION Monday, April 20, 2026 4:00 PM Village Hall – 21 East Church Street, Lake Orion, MI 48362 (248) 693-8391 ext. 102 1. Call to Order The April 20, 2026 Village Council Special Meeting was called to order by President Rutt at 4:02 PM. 2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum PRESENT President Teresa Rutt President Pro Tem Stan Ford Council Member Nancy Moshier Council Member Michael Lamb Council Member George Dandalides Council Member Alex Comparoni Jr Council Member Eric Papacek STAFF PRESENT Village Manager Darwin McClary Clerk/Treasurer Sonja Stout Police Chief Mark Amundson DPW Director Wes Sanchez 3. Call to the Public None. 4. Other Items A. Review and Discuss Proposed FY 2026-27 Budget Village Manager McClary reviewed the proposed Police Department budget, noting it assumes approximately $1.3 million in revenue and that the Village is currently levying the maximum allowable police millage. He outlined a proposal to reduce the police millage to zero and replace it with a police special assessment, which would eliminate the General Fund’s contribution to the police budget. The Village Manager explained that the special assessment would generate approximately $1.3 million to fund the department and, based on preliminary calculations, taxpayers would pay less in future years compared to the current millage structure. He also noted that special assessments are not subject to the Headlee rollback, which would create additional flexibility in future years. Village Manager McClary presented the special assessment roll and explained the potential impact on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), noting that the DDA does not capture special assessments. While the tax revenue captured by the DDA would decrease, the elimination of the police contract and the corresponding reduction in the DDA’s contribution to the Public Infrastructure Fund would result in an estimated net positive impact of approximately $24,000. Council Member Dandalides and President Rutt requested a side-by-side comparison of the current millage structure and the proposed special assessment, which the Village Manager stated he would provide. President Rutt asked whether other communities utilize this funding structure. The Village Manager responded that it is commonly used by townships and is permitted for villages and cities with populations under 15,000. When asked about potential drawbacks, he stated the primary impact would be related to the DDA’s inability to capture special assessment revenue. He also explained that the special assessment process would occur during adoption of the budget on May 11, 2026, and would include a public hearing and preparation of a special assessment roll. President Rutt reiterated that Council would not make a decision that evening but would review the comparative calculations before doing so. Police Chief Amundson reviewed the revenue department (000), noting no significant changes, and then discussed the Police Department budget (301). He stated the budget anticipates a 3% wage increase with upcoming collective bargaining. He also noted a planned purchase of a vehicle for Code Enforcement within the vehicle capital outlay line item. In addition, the department received a matching grant for body cameras, and funds are proposed to purchase body cameras, a radar gun, and binoculars for the marine patrol unit. Discussion also occurred regarding compensation for reserve officers, with the Chief estimating the annual cost at approximately $25,000 to $35,000. Council Member Moshier left the meeting at 5:11 PM. Council Member Lamb asked about the use of a motor pool account for the Code Enforcement vehicle purchase. Village Manager McClary explained that the Village currently budgets vehicle purchases as operating expenses rather than through a motor pool structure. Discussion also took place regarding ticket revenue and speed enforcement within the Village. Chief Amundson noted that officer availability and scheduling sometimes limit enforcement efforts under the current staffing structure and stated that additional officers may be needed in the future. President Rutt requested information comparing the impact of part-time versus full-time officers. Chief Amundson also indicated a goal of reducing overtime, and Council Member Lamb emphasized the importance of maintaining a well-staffed and well-run police department.  5. Call to the Public None. 6. Adjournment MOTION made by Council Member Comparoni Jr, Seconded by President Pro Tem Ford to adjourn the Monday, April 20, 2026 Special Meeting. VOTING YEA: Rutt, Ford, Lamb, Dandalides, Comparoni Jr, Papacek VOTING NAY: None ABSENT: Moshier, MOTION: Carried The April 20, 2026, Village Council Special Meeting adjourned at 5:33 PM. ________________________ _________________________ Teresa Rutt Sonja Stout President Clerk/Treasurer Date Approved: as presented April 27, 2026