The Primary Election is on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The City of Ferndale has two local ballot proposals to amend the City Charter.

CHARTER AMENDMENT 1: 

What is on the ballot?

“This charter amendment would require the City of Ferndale to maintain a Policemen and Firemen Retirement System and to set forth the parameters of that System by ordinance as the City Council shall, from time to time, adopt. Shall the City of Ferndale, Charter, Chapter XIXB, be amended to so provide?” (yes/no)

What does this mean?

This Charter amendment would:

• Update the City’s pension system to protect retirement benefits, follow legal requirements, improve long-term funding, and help reduce costs for taxpayers
• Streamline operations by combining the Police and Fire Retirement System and the General Employee Retirement System through a City ordinance

This proposal is supported by both union and non-union employees as well as the Pension Boards.

Why is this important?

This amendment would increase the overall funded ratio and significantly reduce the General Fund's pension payment obligations from taxpayers. This amendment would not change any benefits for retirees.

CHARTER AMENDMENT 2

What is on the ballot?

“This charter amendment shall eliminate the Civil Service System from the Charter of the City of Ferndale. Shall the City of Ferndale, Charter, Chapter XXA, creating the Civil Service System be deleted and repealed from the Charter of the City of Ferndale?” (yes/no)

What does this mean?

This Charter amendment would:

• Modernize employee practices by removing the outdated Civil Service Board
• Simplify redundant operations already being carried out by staff and maintain employee rights and accountability

This proposal is supported by both union and non-union employees, along with current and former Civil Service Board members.

Why is this important?

The Civil Service System, or Civil Service Board, was established before public-sector unions existed in Michigan. Today, employee protections come from union contracts, the Human Resources Department, and employment laws at all levels.

Employees are protected through collective bargaining agreements, Human Resources policies, and employment laws around discrimination, due process, workplace safety, and labor rights.

HOW TO VOTE

Learn more about voting in Ferndale at ferndalemi.gov/services/voting-in-ferndale.