Troy · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Troy public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Troy Family Aquatic Center Update
The 35-year-old pool has leaks under the pool deck, a corroded surge tank and failing filters. Fixing known problems costs $1-1.5 million and still risks more failures; modernization is about $15 million, and the city doesn't have that money. Swim lessons and programs will move to the indoor pool, and staff will explore partnerships.
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.
Road construction quality on Wattles and Big Beaver
The DDA's Big Beaver enhancements move forward with two new traffic signal agreements approved with Oakland County at Talbot Avenue and near Charter Drive.
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.
Road funding and I-75 sound walls
Michigan's new road funding formula could bring $5.5 million more than expected, letting Troy fund all road work from Act 51 dollars instead of dipping into capital reserves. Council is cautiously optimistic — the state hasn't finalized allocations.
Volunteer Firefighter Incentive Plan Overhaul
Council Member Gunn confirmed the city is actively discussing improved benefits for volunteer firefighters, though nothing is finalized. Council Member Chamberlain noted firefighters answered 75 calls in ten days during severe cold.
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.
Troy Corners / Neighborhood Node L walkable village plan
Residents pushed back on overbuilding, tree loss, and dense development, and asked the city to shape the Square Lake/Livernois node as a walkable village district rather than pure residential. Proposed ordinance amendments go before the Planning Commission the next night.
Interoperability radio repeater for first responders
Police and fire radio equipment at 100 East Big Beaver dates to 1981 and no longer works with Oakland County's new P25 radio system. The $37,267 replacement improves signal strength and gives Troy a standalone backup antenna if the regional system fails. Officials noted hospitals and Somerset Mall are notoriously hard spots for radio coverage.
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.
Wisdom City Church noise complaints
Multiple residents say amplified bass from the church is shaking their homes every Sunday from early morning into the afternoon, disrupting sleep and family life. Police say the intermittent noise is hard to document; staff will gather more information and update residents and council.
EMS Response Times and Star EMS Performance
The new monthly EMS report shows response times hovering around six minutes, a big improvement from past years. Council asked for trend charts and distribution data, with a deeper review planned for July.
Emergency fiber relocation for Public Works Building
The Rochester Road utility project uncovered the city's fiber line on poles being replaced, and a bid waiver was approved to move it quickly. Without fast action, the DPW connection and the road project schedule would be delayed.
Star EMS performance monitoring
The June response-time report came in as promised, and council reminded residents of the special July 27 meeting dedicated entirely to evaluating Star EMS performance.
Bachard Lofts Brownfield Redevelopment – Workforce Housing at 1441 East Maple
An empty office building near Maple and Stevenson becomes 28 apartments with ground-floor retail and office, and half the units will be income-restricted for 15 years — Troy's first brownfield using the state's new housing toolkit. The developer gets reimbursed roughly $1.1 million from the new property taxes the project creates, not from city funds.
State housing preemption legislation
Two bills in the Michigan House (HB 5529 and HB 5532) would limit cities' authority over housing density. Council members worry Troy would lose control over where and how housing is built, and urged residents to contact their state representatives.
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.
Library Future and HVAC Investment
Library supporters say about $4 million in urgent repairs — a new air handler, boiler, doors, and more — are looming on a building serving roughly 29,000 visitors a month. Council members debated whether to poll residents on a standalone library bond in time for November's ballot; a majority prefers a slower engagement-first approach, and no consensus was reached.
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.
Troy Trail North Conditional Rezoning
The old church property on Livernois will become 156 homes — houses, townhomes, and stacked flats — plus a donated 5.3-acre park. Residents worried about floodplain maintenance costs; the council trusted the engineering review process.
Traffic cutting through Sunoco at Rochester and Long Lake
During the Rochester Road reconstruction, drivers are cutting through the Sunoco gas station at Rochester and Long Lake, creating safety hazards for pedestrians and customers. The Traffic Committee nominations prompted the resident to raise it; council members confirmed the detour actually directs traffic through the station lot.
Sewer lift station backup generators
Four critical sewer lift stations will get permanent natural-gas backup generators so power outages don't leave the city running mobile generators back and forth — and risking sewage backups into neighborhoods. The cost came in at $740,807, roughly double the original estimate after design work finished.
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.
2026-2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Troy's new five-year parks plan is based on 870 resident survey responses. Residents want trail connections most (73% want Troy Trails expanded), better restrooms and equipment, and maintenance of existing facilities. It's a non-binding wish list, but adopting it keeps the city eligible for DNR grants.
City Manager Appointment
Troy has a new top administrator: Robert Bruner is taking over as city manager, meaning he'll run day-to-day operations and influence how city services are delivered. The practical effect? Leadership priorities could shift as departments, budgets, and projects move under his direction.
Bribery Charge Against Former City Manager
A former Troy city manager is facing a bribery charge, which is a big deal if you expect local government to follow the rules. It’ll likely dominate council meetings and could push the city toward ethics reforms.