City Council Budget Work Session, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Part 3

The City of Lowell held a City Council Budget Work Session on April 28, 2026, focusing on various budgetary allocations and procurement-related discussions for the upcoming fiscal year. Key topics included funding for vehicle maintenance and replacement for the Department of Public Works (DPW), park improvements such as resurfacing parking lots, light pole replacements, and aquatic weed treatment, with some projects supported by grants. The council also discussed rental fees for park facilities and the need to reassess these fees to better offset operational costs. Additionally, IT-related expenditures were reviewed, including a managed service agreement for network and IT support shared with Light and Power, cyber insurance costs, and compliance projects such as ADA website conversion and NIS compliance. The council noted a reduction in capital IT projects compared to previous years and discussed the challenges of mandated accounting software (BSNA) used by Michigan municipalities. Overall, the session included budget allocations for physical infrastructure improvements and IT services, with attention to cost-sharing arrangements and future procurement needs.