Academic Capital: Escanaba City Council Meeting: Budgets, Data Transit, Millage, Classica Cars

(Illustrative Only)

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Meeting Openings & Agenda Adjustments

Roll Call & Pledge: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ammel.
Minutes Approved: The council approved the minutes from the regular meeting held on May 7, 2026.
Agenda Updates: Item #13 (Chip Seal Street approval) was removed. Two new items were added: Item #16 (Classic Car and Bike Night road closure changes) and Item #17 (Discussion regarding alleys going to gravel and chip sealer).

Budget & Millage Approval: Following four public hearings and three work sessions, the council officially adopted the FY 2026-27 operating budget, capital improvement plan, and master fee schedule.
Millage Rate: The city millage rate was established and approved at 17.442 mills.
No public comments were made during this hearing.

John Stapleton, Director of DATA, gave an informational presentation regarding an upcoming transit millage on the August 4th ballot.

DATA currently employs about 29 people. Full-time drivers and mechanics operate under a Teamsters Union shop.
It operates as a nonprofit and governmental authority, governed by a board with representatives from Gladstone, Delta County, and the township association.
As a public transit authority, DATA is legally required to accept all riders without discrimination (unlike the private sector). Rides can be booked via phone call, smartphone app, or text message.

The Ask: DATA is proposing a 0.689 mill levy for an 8-year period. This would replace the current 0.6 mills restricted to Escanaba and Gladstone.
Countywide Expansion: This proposal would expand demand-response transit services to all of Delta County, including seven unserved townships (such as Wells Township), bringing service to roughly 8,300 residents who currently lack it.
Proposed Service Expansions: Based on community surveys, the millage would fund earlier weekday morning hours (for dialysis, work, and school commutes) and expanded weekend hours, including running until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.
Financial Impact: For a home valued at $200,000 (taxable value of $100,000), the estimated tax increase is roughly 86 cents per month. It is a single countywide millage, meaning there is no "double-dipping" for city residents.

Local Match Requirement: State and federal transit funds require a 50% local match before they can be reimbursed. DATA is currently about $600,000 short of funding this specific expansion. Stapleton noted that transit funding has failed to keep pace with inflation since 1997.
Competition with Private Business: In response to council questioning, Stapleton clarified that DATA is meant to complement private transport, not compete. Private options can cost families $40–$55 per ride for long distances and often lack necessary equipment for disabled passengers (wheelchairs, scooters, walkers).
Ridership Demographics: While specific ratios were not on hand, Stapleton noted that the majority of trips are now provided for working-age adults, though the service remains highly essential for disabled and elderly residents who cannot drive.

Ordinance No. 1320 (Appropriations Ordinance): The council approved the first reading of the appropriations ordinance to implement the approved budget and levy the 17.442 mills.
Ordinance No. 1321 (Tax Levy Ordinance): The council approved the first reading of the tax levy ordinance required by the city charter.
Special Meeting Scheduled: A special city council meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. for the second reading, public comment, and final adoption of both ordinances.