Proposed Flint budget would cut yearly streetlight costs for property owners

FLINT, Mich. — Flint residents could soon pay a little less each year to keep the city’s streetlights on under a proposed reduction included in the city’s 2026-27 budget.

City officials are proposing an $8 decrease to the annual streetlight charge collected through property tax bills, lowering the rate from $64.18 to $56.18 per parcel. If approved by the Flint City Council, the new rate could take effect July 1, 2026.

The fee helps cover the cost of operating, maintaining and upgrading Flint’s streetlight system, which includes nearly 13,000 lights across the city. Revenue generated from the charge goes into the city’s Street Lights Fund, according to the May 18 City Council meeting agenda.

The assessment will be levied on all parcels in the city and is expected to raise about $2,570,000 in the 2027 fiscal year, said Phillip Hendrix, the City of Flint’s communications coordinator.

City council members are set to meet Monday, June 1, 2026, for a public hearing on the budget. Following the hearing, council members are expected to consider a set of resolutions allowing for the adoption of the 2026–2027 operating budget.