Total City of Plymouth budget for 2026 is $28,332,212

Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Monday evening, members of the Plymouth Common Council heard the first reading of the proposed 2026 budget. While budget cuts were discussed, the cuts were made to the wish lists presented by the city departments.

The General Fund budget is estimated at $13,246,315 for next year. When Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski met with her Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) representative, she was informed that she needed to reduce the budget by a minimum of $792,000, or the DLGF would make the cuts for the city. With the proposed cuts, the city will still be required to pull $5.1 million from its cash reserves to cover the budget.

General Fund budgets include the Engineering Department at $493,000, which includes replacing a 2011 vehicle. The Building Commissioner also plans to replace a 2012 vehicle with a total budget of $415,775. The Law Department’s budget next year is $195,980, while the Mayor and Council’s budget is $342,410.

The city’s Financial Board has a budget of $1,611,000. This budget includes the health insurance of $140,000 along with $70,000 for Baker Tilly, $40,000 for Marshall County Economic, and for ONE Marshall County, plus $325,000 for the local match for the Heartland Artist’s grant.

The Sanitation Department’s budget is $802,515, and the Police Department's budget is $4,464,300, which includes 3 vehicles, 8 tasers, 8 portable radios, and 5 body cameras. The Fire Department’s budget is $3,564,310 and includes replacing a 2013 Ford Explorer, 10 pagers, 3 air packs, 5 radios, 8 sets of turnout gear, and exercise equipment. The request to add 3 full-time staff members was cut from the budget.

The City Properties Budget is $570,100 and includes $8,000 for trees, $38,600 for contractual services, $207,000 for the Old Firehouse expenses, $144,000 for the Aquatic Center lease, $25,000 for acquisitions, and $65,000 for improvements.

The City Power budget for next year is $300,000 and pays for all the streetlights around the city.

There is $30,000 for Animal Welfare to the Marshall County Humane Society and $456,925 for the City Garage and Warehouse.

Clerk Lynn Gorski said the total budget for 2026 is $28,332,212 and is a decrease of 15.66% from the 2025 budget.