Traverse City Commission Meeting at the Governmental Center • (400 Boardman Ave, Traverse City)
On Monday, May 5th at 7pm, the Traverse City Commission will be voting on a set of budget amendments, and one of them could make a big difference for safety improvements in Traverse City.
There’s a proposal to allocate 1% of the City’s annual general fund revenue toward Complete Streets – a major win in the works thanks in part to our alliance’s advocacy on the Complete Streets Ad Hoc Committee.
What are Complete Streets?
Complete Streets is a design approach that makes sure our streets work for everyone—whether you walk, bike, roll, drive, or take the bus. It’s about making our transportation system safer, more accessible, and more connected for people of all ages and abilities.
So, if passed, this funding could be used toward making improvements to our streets that work toward this goal.
While 1% might not sound like a lot, it adds up to over $230,000 each year, and that funding can be leveraged with grants and matching programs to have an even bigger impact on improvements to our streets.
Here’s how you can help:
• Show up to Monday’s City Commission Meeting
Some of us will be there and plan to speak during the public comment period. If you want to share why Complete Streets matter to you, we’d love for you to share your story. But no pressure for you to speak!
We’ll be asking for a quick show of hands for anyone who came in support, so even just being there makes a big statement!
New to commission meetings? Here’s what to expect
• Send an email
If you can’t make it, or even if you can and want to do both, we put together a quick template you can copy and paste (or customize with your own wording!) to share your support by emailing the City Commissioners at this email: citycommissioners@traversecitymi.gov
Dear City Commissioners,
I am writing to express my strong support for the Budget Amendments proposed at the May 5, 2025 meeting—particularly the Commissioner Requested Item allocating 1% of the annual general fund revenue to Complete Streets.
This dedicated funding represents a meaningful investment in the safety, accessibility, and livability of our community. By prioritizing infrastructure that serves all users—whether walking, biking, rolling, driving, or using public transit—we can make our streets safer and more welcoming for everyone.
We also respectfully recommend that all proposed uses of this 1% allocation be reviewed and discussed by the existing Complete Streets Ad Hoc Committee to ensure alignment with community needs and planning principles.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and continued commitment to equitable, multimodal transportation.
You can read the full budget amendment proposal here if you’re curious about the details.
Let’s keep pushing for safer, more welcoming streets in Traverse City and we hope to see you Monday!