Troy City Council Confronts State Funding Cuts; Legislative Update Highlights 2026 Priorities
TROY — 1/13/2026
In a session marked by both fiscal optimism and legislative frustration, the Troy City Council met Monday, January 12, 2026, to outline the city’s path forward following significant state-level budget shifts. The evening’s centerpiece was a briefing from State Representative Sharon McDonald (D-56), who addressed the recent defunding of local infrastructure and public safety projects.
State Representative McDonald Addresses “Budget Turmoil”
Representative McDonald provided a sobering look at the 2025–2026 legislative session, describing a "historically gridlocked" atmosphere. With the Michigan Legislature split, McDonald noted that only 74 public acts were signed into law in 2025, a fraction of the historical average.
The primary concern for Troy officials remains the $645 million in capital projects rescinded by state leadership in December 2025. McDonald confirmed that while $1.9 million for a new Troy Fire Department ladder truck was technically "defunded," the city had already committed those funds. McDonald said that was not a problem. Additionally, $400,000 for the Troy Historic Village is currently frozen as Attorney General Dana Nessel challenges the legality of the cuts in court.
New Safety Legislation Following 2025 Tragedy
McDonald announced she is drafting a "Safety and Regulatory Standards for Hyperbaric Facilities" bill. This comes as a direct response to the January 2025 explosion at The Oxford Center in Troy, which resulted in the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper. The legislation aims to close gaps in oversight for non-FDA-approved treatments in pressurized environments.
Council Actions and Business Summary
The following table summarizes the status of key items discussed and voted upon during the January 12 meeting:
| Status | Item | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Approved | Easement Acceptance (J.5) | Accepted six permanent easements from Eckford Development, LLC for utilities, drainage, and pedestrian pathways. |
| ✅ Approved | Bus Services Contract (J.6) | Waived bid process to award First Student (Chicago, IL) a 2-year contract for Recreation Dept. transportation at $69.91/hr. |
| ✅ Approved | Legal Defense (J.7) | Authorized the City Attorney to defend the city in the lawsuit Andrew Magadanz v. City of Troy. |
| ✅ Approved | IT Security Services (J.8) | Awarded $37,620 contract to Center for Internet Security for 18 months of managed detection and response services. |
Looking Ahead
The Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing regarding the 2026–2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan in the coming weeks. Additionally, Representative McDonald’s office will be monitoring the Nessel v. Legislature litigation to determine if the $400,000 for the Historic Village can be restored.