Owosso council sends 0.5-mill parks renewal to Nov. 3 ballot
Council members voted 7-0 on July 20 to place a two-year parks millage renewal estimated to raise $170,000 a year before voters, and approved a consent agenda carrying more than $120,000 in water, sewer and legal contracts.
The Owosso City Council voted 7-0 on July 20 to place a 0.5-mill parks and recreation millage renewal on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot, according to the minutes of the regular meeting.
Resolution No. 115-2026 was moved by Councilmember Emily S. Olson and supported by Councilmember Carl C. Ludington. Voting yes on the roll call were Olson, Mayor Pro-Tem Jerome C. Haber, Councilmembers Janae L. Fear, Christopher D. Owens, Ludington, Rachel M. Osmer and Mayor Robert J. Teich, Jr. No one voted no, and no member was absent.
The resolution states that voters approved a two-year parks millage in 2024 and that the levy will expire. The renewal would be levied at a maximum of 0.5 mill — 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value — for two years beginning with the 2027 tax levy year. The resolution estimates the levy would generate $170,000 in its first year for the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, to maintain, improve and upgrade city parks. The ballot language notes a portion of the millage may be subject to capture by the Owosso Downtown Development Authority and the Owosso Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Consent agenda: water, sewer and legal spending
The council also approved its consent agenda 7-0 on a roll call, on a motion by Olson supported by Ludington. It included Resolution No. 111-2026, authorizing a legal services agreement with Davis & Davis Law Offices PLC of Grand Rapids at $160 per hour, not to exceed $20,000, tied to Industrial Pretreatment Program enforcement. The resolution cites issues with Owosso Graphic Arts' discharged wastewaters sent to the Owosso Mid-Shiawassee County wastewater treatment plant, and waives the city's usual competitive solicitation process.
Resolution No. 112-2026 approved Change Order No. 3 with Sorensen Gross Company of Flint, adding $33,544 and raising the 2025 Well Improvements Project contract from $1,890,851 to $1,924,395. Resolution No. 113-2026 approved Amendment No. 1 with Fishbeck, adding $69,150 for additional engineering design at the water treatment plant filters project and raising that contract from $294,825 to $363,975. Both increases are contingent on approval from the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, according to the resolutions. The packet says the filters work is needed because water chemistry at the plant is causing excessive scaling and premature saturation of filter media.
The consent agenda also adopted Resolution No. 114-2026, a water and sewer rate schedule for fiscal years 2025-26 through 2029-30 that adds fees for a 12-inch fire protection sprinkler service connection, and approved Traffic Control Order No. 1562 closing Washington Street from Main to Water Street/Jerome Avenue, the Main Street Plaza and Comstock Street from Water to Park Street on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Vintage Motorcycle Days.
Recycling mandate and a conflict-of-interest vote
Dr. Kari Krantz of KSK Consultancy presented a summary of community listening sessions on the state's new curbside recycling mandate. On a motion by Olson supported by Fear, the council voted 7-0 to direct the city manager to explore Option 5, looking at how other communities are handling the requirement and how they chose to fund it.
Council members also voted 6-0 to allow Ludington to abstain from a vote on contracts with his firm, then voted 6-0, with Ludington abstaining and out of the room, to acknowledge his pecuniary interest and approve $1,052.96 in contracts with Ludington Electric, Inc. for April 28 through June 23, 2026. The declaration was filed under Owosso City Charter Section 14.4 and Michigan Public Act 317 of 1968.
Earlier in the meeting, representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced the city's Redevelopment Ready Community certification. During public comment, Jerry Hittle of 821 Walnut Street asked whether yards and sidewalks torn up by Consumers Energy would be repaired before school starts, and later reported young people racing minibikes near Holman Pool. Diana Schlaack, a West Main Street resident, told the council she has seen deterioration in her neighborhood over the last two years and said drug deals are openly taking place. Carrie Tyler, also of West Main Street, said she has noticed more police presence in the area and asked how she could help. Osmer said the police chief is aware of the minibike issue and asked residents to report it each time.
What happens next
The minutes direct the city clerk to file a request with the Shiawassee County Clerk's Office to place the parks millage renewal on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. City Manager Henne suggested asking the city attorney to draft a memo on the council's options regarding damage and cleanup tied to the annual organic cruise; no vote was taken on that item. The council's next meeting was listed as Monday, Aug. 3. Openings remain on the Building Board of Appeals, Downtown Historic District Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
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