City Commission: Budget, voting resources, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Outside of Mount Pleasant City Hall where City Commissions meetings are held.
Mount Pleasant City Commission discussed budget plans, community events and voting resources as well as sworn in new police members at their meeting on Monday.
City Manager Aaron Desentz said this about the 2025 budget plan:
- Mount Pleasant's challenges going into 2025 are inflation, recreation, solid waste future funding and Michigan Tax Tribunal cases.
- The general fund revenue is $18.9 million.
- Property taxes are 46% of the general fund, with intergovernmental being the second largest part at 30%.
- General fund expenditures are $19.1 million, with the majority of it going to be compensation (59%).
Due to election season, the commissioners also reviewed voting options and voting legality. Voting is available through absentee ballots, voting in person nine days prior to election day and on election day.
Mayor Amy Perschbacher also said that it is illegal to steal and deface political signs. It can result in $500 fine or 90 days in jail.
“Mind your own business and respect your neighbors,” Perschbacher said.
Additionally, the meeting agenda covered both a land acknowledgment and an acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples Day.
“The Indigenous people who have persisted in adversity, preserving their languages, customs, and spiritual practices for future generations,” Perschbacher said. “We acknowledge that Indigenous People's Day allows all individuals to learn about the indigenous peoples' diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, and engage in meaningful dialog to promote understanding, respect and reconciliation.”
Perschbacher recognized October 14th, 2024 as a day of remembrance for Indigenous people. According to the New York Times, Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes the Indigenous communities that have lived in the Americas for thousands of years. It became increasingly popular as a replacement for Columbus Day.
Despite the day not being a national holiday, local communities and states have been observing it on the second Monday in October for around a decade.
On September 10, 2014, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe passed Resolution 14-152. This officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October.
The next Mount Pleasant City Commissions is at 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 at City Hall.
