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LUDINGTON — The Ludington City Council will meet Monday, Oct. 12, as the city continues working to address its projected 2027 budget deficit following the withdrawal of controversial special assessments that would have helped fund public safety and street lighting.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Ludington Municipal Building, 400 S. Harrison St.
Although the budget is not specifically listed as an action item on Monday’s agenda, the city’s financial challenges remain a significant issue as officials prepare the 2027 budget.
During a special meeting Tuesday, Oct. 6, the council voted to withdraw proposed special assessment districts that would have generated approximately $489,000 annually for police and fire services and $144,450 for street lighting.
The proposals had generated considerable opposition from property owners, many of whom expressed concerns about increasing costs and questioned the city’s spending priorities.
The council also directed City Manager Kaitlyn Aldrich to prepare a list of potential spending reductions and services that could be reduced or eliminated if the city faces a budget deficit.
City officials have previously discussed a projected 2027 operating deficit of approximately $523,800. The proposed special assessments were among the options being considered to address the city’s financial challenges.
The city has also been considering changes to its administrative structure, including the addition of a finance director position, as part of efforts to improve financial oversight and long-term planning.
Development ordinance amendments
Among the primary action items scheduled for Monday is consideration of amendments to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, which took effect Jan. 1, 2025.
The proposed amendments include clarifications to waterfront setback regulations, hotel and motel definitions, floor area calculations and other development standards.
The ordinance governs land use and development throughout the city, including residential, commercial, industrial and waterfront properties.
The council will also consider authorizing city staff to make administrative corrections to the ordinance, including changes involving grammar, punctuation, formatting and typographical errors. Under the proposal, those corrections could not alter the substance or regulatory effect of the ordinance.
The proposed amendments are part of the city’s ongoing review of its development regulations.
The meeting is open to the public.
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