With the changing of leaves and the vicious resurgence of allspice-scented decor comes everyone’s favorite time of year: budget considerations.
Of course, everyone is always considering past and future budgets constantly. But — with the September Revenue Estimating Conference — budget kickoff has commenced and we are officially in the “top” of the budget cycle, with a series of engagement sessions to hear from residents and neighborhoods about their funding priorities.
Over the next few weeks, public budget meetings and district priority forums will be held across the city so Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration can help inform and gather feedback from constituents on the budget cycle and decision-making process.
The Budget Office within Detroit’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is preparing the Mayor’s Proposed Annual Budget for programs, services, and activities for Fiscal Year 2028, which starts July 1, 2027, and ends June 30, 2028.
It will be presented with the Four-Year Financial Plan to City Council in early March for review and adoption.
Here’s where you can go to let your voice and priorities be heard:
1) Attend the Monday, Sept. 28 Annual Public Budget Meeting 2 @ 5PM
Presenting departments are: Public Lighting Authority/Public Lighting Department, (PLA/PLD), Detroit Fire Department (DFD), Detroit Health Department (DHD) and Detroit Police Department (DPD).
Zoom Link:
https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/89044283108?utm
Webinar ID: 890 4428 3108
Join by phone:
+1 301 715 8592 (US)2) Attend the administration’s Budget Priority Meetings, by district via zoom:
- District 1
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, 5 p.m.
Zoom Link:https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/83384415741
Meeting ID is 833 8441 5741 - District 2
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 5 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/86336845301
Meeting ID: 863 3684 5301 - District 3
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 6 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/82655289310
Meeting ID: 826 5528 9310 - District 4
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 6 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/85996130562
Meeting ID: 859 9613 0562 - District 5
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, 6 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/82045967056
Meeting ID: 820 4596 7056 - District 6
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, 5 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/87881183248
Meeting ID: 878 8118 3248 - District 7
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, 5 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/89385098608
Meeting ID: 893 8509 8608
2. Keep an eye on smaller meetings offered by your local council member where these things will likely come up. This includes info sessions and monthly meetings. Subscribe to their newsletters here, listen to announcements at City Council meetings, and/or follow them on social media.
3. Email or call your City Council members. It can be hard to attend city meetings for a variety of reasons, including those that take place during working hours. It’s a good thing you can find your district and contact information for your representative here: https://detroitmi.gov/government/city-council. Public comments on the City’s budget can also be emailed to yourbudget@detroitmi.gov.
4. Keep an eye on the City Council budget and public hearings starting in March. We’ll be covering them.
