The Sterling Heights City Council will discuss the Proposed 2019/20 City Budget during a special budget meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9th at City Hall.
For the fiscal year beginning July 1 the City budget totals $246.8 million – an increase of $2.5 million or just 1% over last year. The budget funds 486 full-time positions. The City has reduced funding for 163 full-time positions or 25 percent of its workforce since 2002, saving $15.5 million annually.
The proposed spending plan includes a 1 mill reduction in City Operating Taxes which was allocated over the past year to increased road improvements necessary to leverage additional County Road improvements within the City. The total City tax rate of 16.2019 includes a 1 mill reduction in the City Operating millage, reducing taxes on the average priced home by $75. The City tax rate continues to be lower than most cities in the State and is one of the lowest in Macomb County.
The 2019/20 budget continues to emphasize investment in roads with $23.7 million allocated to road improvements in 2019 including:
- 18 Mile asphalt resurfacing from Mound to Ryan and from Ryan to Dequindre
- Schoenherr Road resurfacing from Plumbrook to north of 18 Mile
- Hayes Road resurfacing from 14 to 15 Mile
- Metro Parkway reconstruction from Van Dyke to rear lot line of Home Depot
- Metro Parkway resurfacing from Dequindre to Ryan
- Utica Road resurfacing from 18 Mile to Van Dyke
- Utica Road resurfacing from Hayes to Schoenherr
- 19 mile asphalt resurfacing from Hayes to Schoenherr
- Merrill Road rehabilitation from 18 1/2 Mile to M-59
- The preliminary engineering for the $216 million complete reconstruction of Mound Road from I-696 to M-59
- And, as a direct result of the Safe Streets millage, a $7 million investment in Neighborhood streets that will fund sectional repairs and full reconstructions of over 35 local streets
Between 2014 and 2022, $416 million in various road improvements will have been made in the City!
In addition to road improvements, the budget funds significant infrastructure investments including the completion of the Community Center and the continuation of Parks & Recreation improvements funded through the voter approved Recreating Recreation millage, facility maintenance upgrades at the Police Department, Public Library, 41-A District Court, and City Hall, and also funds the construction of a new facility for the Department of Public Works.
The budget also continues to invest in public safety including the addition of a Police Officer and placing a 5th ambulance into service to continue providing fast EMS response times. Funds are also budgeted to replace 19 Police vehicles, service pistols for Police Officers, 16 Fire Fighter air packs and to purchase automatic CPR machines.
The proposed budget also includes a significant investment in training initiatives necessary to retain and attract quality employees. Funds are allocated for the expansion of Sterling University, Leadership and Lean Six Sigma training, and a one day sabbatical for all employees to attend technical training to enhance job skills.
According to City Manager, Mark Vanderpool, “The proposed budget reflects an ongoing commitment to the City’s Visioning 2030 Plan which not only has a strong focus on infrastructure improvements but includes a commitment to park and recreational improvements which are transforming the City. At the same time the proposed budget preserves the City’s solid financial position while decreasing taxes.”
A series of budget workshops will be held prior to the budget adoption on May 7th. The workshop schedule and a copy of the proposed budget document are available under “City Budget” on the City’s website at www.sterling-heights.net.