Troy · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Troy public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fiscal Year 2026 City Audit
Troy got a clean audit with no findings, pension and OPEB are fully funded for the first time, and the fund balance is 37.7% of expenditures - about $10 million will transfer to capital projects.
2026 Resident Survey results and library bond lessons
Council Member Hamilton wants a library bond question back on the ballot this year, saying there are still enough passionate library supporters. Others are skeptical — Mayor Baker worries residents may not want to pay more for anything right now, and the library millage expires in 2030.
November election preparations
The clerk's office mailed nearly 21,000 absentee ballots and stayed open late for in-person pickup. Voters can return ballots via five drop boxes, in person, mail, early voting, or at the polls by 8 p.m. on election day.
August 4 primary election voting options
Resident Susan Kuhn criticized the city for locking the senior center's lunchroom for five days around the August 4 election while a nearby craft room sat empty, even though turnout was expected to be low. City Clerk Dickson explained the smaller room can't safely handle the precinct populations involved, but said the city will keep looking at options.
Deferred Maintenance Communication
Several council members want the public to see the full picture of what's being delayed without a bond — and its rising costs. Chamberlain proposed resurrecting a 'FIT Team' to communicate it; Gunn asked staff to identify affected buildings and projected costs by Wednesday.
FY2026 Year-End Budget Amendments
The city added $875,000 in spending — mostly the settled home builders' lawsuit and recreation center costs — but offset every dollar with higher state revenue and interest income. No reserves touched.
Delinquent account collections
About $1.18 million in unpaid water, sewer and city invoices gets certified to the property tax roll, meaning delinquent account holders will see these amounts on their tax bills.
Workers' compensation insurance renewal
The city renewed its workers' comp coverage through the Michigan Municipal League fund for one year at up to $359,652.
FY 2026/2027 Budget and Capital Funding
Only about 27 cents of every tax dollar Troy residents pay comes back to the city — the rest goes to schools and the county. That leaves the city unable to keep up with deferred maintenance on buildings and roads even though the operating budget is lean and well-managed.
Community engagement and the Financial Ideas Team
Council Member Chamberlain proposed reviving a community 'financial ideas team' before April budget study sessions. City management was asked for preliminary information; consensus was reached to gather details first.
Updated facilities condition assessment
Council says the last full facility-by-facility assessment dates to 2018, and an updated one (about six months of consultant work, already financially planned) is the first step before any big capital conversation. Mayor Baker also wants a public-facing version showing what's been fixed and what still needs work.
New Communications Department
The budget creates a communications department by reclassifying library and recreation staff, replacing one retiring position with two coordinators and a part-timer, plus one new FTE. An infographic of the budget is planned before adoption.
Oakland County Parks Millage Imbalance
Mayor Baker flagged that Troy taxpayers pay $4.5 million into the county parks millage but receive only about $250,000 back. He and staff discussed pushing county commissioners for shovel-ready Troy projects.
Website Digital Accessibility Compliance
Federal ADA rules now require cities of 50,000+ to make websites, documents, and videos accessible by April 24. Troy is spending $24,000 on a consultant, audit, and staff training to avoid lawsuits.
Poverty exemption for property taxes
Low-income Troy homeowners can apply to have part or all of their property taxes exempted. Twelve of 27 applicants qualified in 2025; the council must adopt federal income and asset guidelines each year.
State budget: road windfall, Historic Village cut at risk
Rep. MacDonell says Troy's road funding jumps 33% (about $3.8M) and the city expects roughly $95,000 from a new public safety trust fund — but $400K promised for Troy Historic Village upgrades was caught in December's $645M state defundments, now in litigation between the AG and House Speaker. A $5M request for Square Lake Road resurfacing was denied.