The Sterling Heights City Council will discuss the Proposed 2024/25 City Budget during a special budget meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at City Hall.
For the fiscal year beginning July 1, the City budget totals $252 million. The proposed City millage rate is 16.5938. The City millage rate continues to be lower than most cities in Michigan and is one of the lowest in Macomb County.
The budget funds 545 full-time positions and includes two additional Fire Prevention positions. The City still has 104 fewer full-time positions than in 2008, which saves an estimated $10.5 million annually.
The annual budget continues to prioritize road repair and reconstruction. The 2024/25 budget includes more than $22 million in major road work, including the $10 million revitalization of Clinton River Road. Additional projects funded in the proposed budget include:
- Resurfacing of 14 Mile Road from Van Dyke to Maple Lane
- Resurfacing of 18 Mile Road from Utica Road to the Plumbrook Drain
- Resurfacing of 17 Mile Road from Mound Road to Van Dyke
- Bridgework on Hayes Road over the Clinton River
In addition, as a direct result of the renewal of the Safe Streets millage, the proposed budget includes a $5.5 million investment in neighborhood streets that will fund sectional repairs and full reconstructions of 23 neighborhood streets.
The proposed budget includes the continuation of the sidewalk gap program, the resurfacing of a portion of the Clinton River Park trail system, repairs to the Nature Center bridge, an extension to the drain trail in Nelson Park and the installation of wireless access at Dodge Park.
The proposed budget continues to prioritize Public Safety. Funds are proposed to replace 16 Police vehicles and an Advanced Life Support (ALS) squad ambulance. The Fire Prevention staff will be enhanced through the addition of a Community Risk Reduction Officer to supplement the five current inspectors and a Mobile Integrated EMS Health Coordinator to help minimize the large volume of low acuity ambulance runs. Design work for the potential repurposing of the unused jail facility inside the Police Department is also proposed.
Funding is also allocated for sustainability efforts including the implementation of a Universal Curbside Recycling program to eliminate reusable material from the waste stream that is consuming and contaminating landfills.
The City’s financial position is very strong with healthy reserves equating to more than $37 million or 30% of General Fund expenditures. “The City continues to focus on economic development, public safety and quality of life services. This focus strengthens economic vitality for our businesses and keeps taxes low for residents all while providing best in class services,” said Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer Varney.
A series of budget workshops will be held prior to the budget adoption on May 7. The workshop schedule and a copy of the proposed budget document are available under “City Budget” on the City’s website at sterlingheights.gov.
All budget workshops will take place in the Council Chambers, located on the upper level of City Hall (40555 Utica Road). All meetings will be live streamed on the City’s website and televised live on Sterling Heights Television (SHTV) on Comcast Channel 5, WOW Channel 10 or AT&T Uverse Channel 99. Meetings are available for viewing over the internet the following business day on SHTV On-Demand at sterlingheights.gov and also rebroadcast on SHTV.