The spending plan continues all basic services and city officials say the budget focuses on fiscal sustainability.
The total budgetincludes $179 million in the city’s General Fund. City officials say the budget was developed with six overarching priorities including Governmental Excellence, Economic Prosperity and Affordability, Engaged and Connected Community, Health and Environment, Mobility, and Safe Community.
Around $201 million of the budget has been appropriated for Health and Environment. This includes nearly $19 million in Park and Park amenities improvements for Martin Luther King Lodge, Roosevelt Lodge, Plaza Roosevelt, and several other parks.
Other investments include $16 million to remediate PFAS contamination at the Ash Lagoon, $10.4 million in lead service line replacements and 1.8 million for the city's Lead Hazard Control Program.
Nearly $140 million has been earmarked for the city’s Safe Community priority. This includes a $3 million investment to purchase land for a future Fire Training center. It also includes $1.3 million for two GVSU Police Academy recruit classes and will help support third-party recruiting services that the city says will improve police staffing and responsiveness.
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting that she’s glad to see the the funding for the city’s mental health co-response program in the budget as well as support for GRPD's recruiting efforts and investments in local parks.
“There’s a lot in this budget that I believe is going to have an impact, a real positive impact on our neighborhoods, and the places that people love so I’m, I’m happy to vote yes today in support of this budget, but I’m more excited to see things start moving,” she said.
While the budget doesn’t include an increase in property tax millages, there is an overall millage rate increase of 0.1994 mills to fund refuse, recycling and other clean community initiatives. The city estimates the increase will cost the average homeowner $5.33 more per month.
The fiscal year begins July 1st.