Flint, Michigan – Flint is preparing to enter its next fiscal year with a spending plan approved on time, a milestone city leaders say will help keep services steady and investments moving forward.
The Flint City Council approved the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 general fund budget on June 1, 2026, in a narrow 5-4 vote. The budget, totaling about $73.6 million, takes effect July 1 and serves as the city’s main operating plan for the year ahead.
For Mayor Sheldon Neeley, the approval was more than a routine financial step. It marked the seventh consecutive balanced budget submitted under his administration and ended a three-year stretch in which late budget approvals had raised concerns about possible layoffs or interruptions to city services.
“The approval of the FY2027 budget represents an important step forward for the City of Flint and the residents we serve,” said Mayor Neeley.
“This budget reflects months of planning, careful financial stewardship, and a commitment to investing in the services and programs that matter most to our community. By meeting the Charter deadline, we have ensured continuity of operations and provided the stability needed to continue delivering essential services, strengthening public safety, improving neighborhoods, and expanding opportunities for residents.”
The approved plan keeps water rates unchanged for residents and businesses, even as the city faces higher wholesale costs from the Great Lakes Water Authority. It also increases street repair funding to $5.5 million, more than double the roughly $2.3 million included the previous year. City officials have pointed to winter damage on roads such as Hamilton, Lapeer, Longway and other corridors as part of the need for additional repair dollars.
The budget also includes six new positions for blight removal, maintains staffing levels of 116 sworn police officers and 95 firefighters, and supports the expansion of in-house ambulance operations. Investments in public safety, neighborhood improvements, recreation, quality-of-life programs and essential services are also part of the package.
City officials project an ending fund balance of around $38 million, described as one of the strongest in decades. The budget also includes conservative assumptions for future revenue growth, with possible operating surpluses in the years ahead.
Still, the process was not without disagreement. The budget followed public hearings, department reviews and late adjustments, including changes tied to about $3 million in police-related court judgments. Some assessments were also adjusted, with a smaller increase for street lighting and a larger increase for waste collection to help keep that fund solvent.
Four council members voted against the general fund budget, citing concerns about spending transparency, fees and access to financial records such as a city check registry. Separately, council rejected renewal of a 1.88-mill property tax millage for the Downtown Development Authority, raising questions about the DDA’s future operations and financial oversight.
Neeley acknowledged differences in the process but said the final approval gives Flint room to move ahead.
“This marks the seventh consecutive balanced budget submitted under our administration and demonstrates our continued focus on responsible fiscal management,” he said. “Even as communities across the country face economic uncertainty, Flint remains committed to maintaining a strong financial foundation while making strategic investments that improve quality of life and position our city for long-term success.”
The decision comes after years of financial strain in Flint, including emergency management, the water crisis, population loss, infrastructure challenges and legacy costs. Recent stabilization has been supported by disciplined budgeting, state pension assistance, federal relief funds and rising property values.
“I appreciate the members of the City Council for completing this important work and fulfilling their Charter responsibility,” Neeley said. “While we may not always agree on every aspect of the budget process, we share a common goal of serving the people of Flint. The adoption of this budget allows us to move forward together and continue building on the progress our city has made.”