DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – The city of Detroit is considering asking for more voter-authorized bonds to help pay for its capital and infrastructure needs.

That’s according to a memo from the city’s Chief Financial Officer department to the city council.

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The city of Detroit is spending part of the total $826.7 million in federal pandemic money it received from the American Rescue Plan Act on projects such as building more affordable homes and apartments, repairing recreation centers and city pools, adding electric vehicle charging stations and replacing windows and fixing sidewalks.

“Many of our most pressing facilities issues have been, or are being, addressed with current available UTGO bond funding and ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act] funding,” the Feb. 12 memo stated. “As we exhaust these remaining funding sources, the City will need to identify a long-term
strategy for funding facilities capital assessments. This may include seeking new voter authorization for additional UTGO bonds.”

UTGO bonds are Unlimited Tax General Obligations bonds that levies a debt millage on property values. It must be approved by the city council and then voted on by city residents.

The city’s total expenditures have increased from $1.44 billion in 2020 to $2.17 billion in 2024.