Dearborn council took up a $4 million federal grant to hire 12 firefighters and plans for up to $70 million in sewer bonds

DEARBORN, Mich. — The Dearborn City Council's agenda for its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20, included accepting a federal grant to hire 12 more firefighters and a first step toward borrowing up to $70 million for underground sewer and water work. The votes were scheduled for Tuesday night. Results had not been reported publicly as of Wednesday morning, Oct. 21. The Mitten Daily will update this story when they are.

The FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant totals $4,063,443.48, including a city match of $1,557,653.34, according to the agenda. It would raise the department's sworn firefighter positions from 146 to 158. The council packet also sets aside $150,000 for the new hires' equipment.

A second federal award, a $193,537.44 Assistance to Firefighters Grant with a $17,594.32 city match, would pay for specialized training for all firefighters.

The bond item is a notice of intent to issue limited-tax general obligation bonds of up to $70 million to finance sewer and water projects connected to the city's Road Revitalization program. Under Michigan law, a notice of intent opens a 45-day window in which registered voters can petition for a referendum on the borrowing. The council also has an $8,852,625 contract with Spalding DeDecker Associates for design and construction engineering on local and major roads.

Other items on the agenda:

• Final reading of Ordinance 26-1874, which adds rules for electric bikes and scooters in downtown commercial corridors and on sidewalks elsewhere, enforcement against non-compliant "e-motos," and penalties.
• A five-year, $81,891 purchase of 15 Tasers and accessories for police from Axon.
• Two sole-source contracts, $63,360 and $68,748.77, for winter art installations at Dearborn Wanderlights, the city's free holiday walk-through, which the packet says debuts at PEACE Park West with a kickoff Nov. 19.
• A council resolution honoring Capri Bakery for 53 years in business as owners John and Ronda Errigo retire.

SAFER grants cover new firefighters' pay for a set period, typically three years, after which the city carries the full cost. Residents may want to ask how the city plans to fund the 12 positions once the grant ends.

Updated Oct. 21, 2026: The Oct. 20 council meeting has taken place, so the headline and schedule details are now in the past tense. Results had not been published as of Wednesday morning.

Sources:
City of Dearborn, “City Council regular meeting agenda and packet,” Oct. 20, 2026, https://dearborn.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/2026-10-20%20-%20Council%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf
FEMA, “Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER),” https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer
Photo: Rmhermen, “Fire engine, Dearborn, Michigan.jpg,” Aug. 7, 2018, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and color-adjusted, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fire_engine,_Dearborn,_Michigan.jpg

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Tags: Dearborn · City Council · Dearborn Fire Department · Public Safety · Infrastructure