Midland · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in City of Midland public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Cemetery Fee Ordinance Amendment
Midland Cemetery fees haven't changed in 24 years, and the cemetery only recovers about a quarter of its costs. The proposed increase is 20% for residents and 50% for non-residents, plus a new premium rate for winter or after-hours burials. Only about 770 plots remain — the cemetery is nearly full.
MSHDA Housing Readiness Incentive Grant
The city won the maximum $50,000 state grant to rewrite the administrative sections of its zoning ordinance — the rules for PUDs, variances, site plans and appeals. It's the next step in a seven-part overhaul of the 2004 zoning code guided by the 2024 master plan. Parking, landscaping, and sign ordinance updates are already in the pipeline.
Transition from MERS to city-run retirement system
The city is weighing whether to end its agreement with the Municipal Employees' Retirement System, which affects retirement benefits for city employees. A MERS representative addressed the council before any decision.
Yard waste collection fee increases
Yard waste costs are going up: $70 a year for your first roll-out container, $35 for extra ones, and 80 cents per bag sticker. The silver lining — fees are waived in April, October and November.
City Manager and City Attorney compensation
Both top appointed officials got 3% cost-of-living raises after their performance reviews, per their contracts. Not a new salary negotiation — just the annual contractual bump.
2026 School Tax Collection
The city will collect 2026 property taxes for six school entities, keeping collection fees and admin costs as revenue.
2026-27 City Budget Adoption
The City Manager's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 was presented to the council. The budget drives what the city can spend on services, streets, parks and public safety — and the public gets a say at the April 27 hearing.
905 E. Park Drive Property Disposition Reversed
A wave of neighbors turned out on both sides of whether the city should rescind plans to sell 905 E. Park Drive, a green space some call 'The Pointe.' The council put off any decision until April 27.
Downtown special assessment
Downtown property owners will fund a $90,000 economic revitalization program entirely through special assessments under the newly established 2026 district.
2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan
The city's six-year plan for infrastructure spending covers streets, sidewalks, parking lots, the golf course and city facilities. Commissioners questioned whether parking lots pay for themselves, how the DDA's big Business Route 10 commitment limits its future spending, and how the master plan drives priorities.