HillsdaleNot a ballot

Hillsdale · On the record

How the council voted

Every recorded council vote in this guide where two or more of the people we profile voted, side by side. Each line was checked against the meeting minutes it links to. Only candidates and members with a page in this guide are listed; open the minutes for the full roll call.

Hillsdale voter guide

Broad Street road diet

Aug 18, 2025

Resolution 3646 accepting the local contribution for the MDOT TAP grant project

Result as recorded: passed 5-3, August 2025

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on Resolution 3646 accepting the local contribution for the MDOT TAP grant project (passed 5-3, August 2025).
  • YesRobert SochaVoted yes on Resolution 3646 accepting the local contribution for the MDOT TAP grant project (passed 5-3, August 2025).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on Resolution 3646 accepting the local contribution for the MDOT TAP grant project (passed 5-3, August 2025).
  • NoMatthew H. BentleyVoted no on Resolution 3646 accepting the local contribution for the MDOT TAP grant project (passed 5-3, August 2025).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, August 18, 2025 · Aug 18, 2025Link

City budget

Jun 1, 2026

Adopting the city budget, Resolution #3678

Result as recorded: passed 7-2, June 2026

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on adopting the city budget, Resolution #3678 (passed 7-2, June 2026).
  • YesMatthew H. BentleyVoted yes on adopting the city budget, Resolution #3678 (passed 7-2, June 2026).
  • YesRobert SochaVoted yes on adopting the city budget, Resolution #3678 (passed 7-2, June 2026).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on adopting the city budget, Resolution #3678 (passed 7-2, June 2026).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026Link

City manager

Jan 5, 2026

Amending City Manager David Mackie's contract so he would later serve solely as BPU Director

Result as recorded: passed 7-1, January 2026

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on amending City Manager David Mackie's contract so he would later serve solely as BPU Director (passed 7-1, January 2026).
  • NoMatthew H. BentleyVoted no on amending City Manager David Mackie's contract so he would later serve solely as BPU Director (passed 7-1, January 2026).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, January 5, 2026 · Jan 5, 2026Link

Electric rates

Jun 1, 2026

Resolution 3680 amending BPU electric rates

Result as recorded: passed 7-2, June 2026

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on Resolution 3680 amending BPU electric rates (passed 7-2, June 2026).
  • YesRobert SochaVoted yes on Resolution 3680 amending BPU electric rates (passed 7-2, June 2026).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on Resolution 3680 amending BPU electric rates (passed 7-2, June 2026).
  • NoMatthew H. BentleyVoted no on Resolution 3680 amending BPU electric rates (passed 7-2, June 2026).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026Link

Energy Waste Reduction plan

Dec 15, 2025

Approving the BPU's Energy Waste Reduction plan and submitting it to the State of Michigan

Result as recorded: passed 5-4, December 2025

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on approving the BPU's Energy Waste Reduction plan and submitting it to the State of Michigan (passed 5-4, December 2025).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on approving the BPU's Energy Waste Reduction plan and submitting it to the State of Michigan (passed 5-4, December 2025).
  • NoMatthew H. BentleyVoted no on approving the BPU's Energy Waste Reduction plan and submitting it to the State of Michigan (passed 5-4, December 2025).
  • NoRobert SochaVoted no on approving the BPU's Energy Waste Reduction plan and submitting it to the State of Michigan (passed 5-4, December 2025).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, December 15, 2025 · Dec 15, 2025Link

Keefer House Hotel

Dec 15, 2025

Extending the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA tax abatement completion date to June 30, 2026, Resolution #3660

Result as recorded: passed 6-3, December 2025

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on extending the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA tax abatement completion date to June 30, 2026, Resolution #3660 (passed 6-3, December 2025).
  • YesRobert SochaVoted yes on extending the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA tax abatement completion date to June 30, 2026, Resolution #3660 (passed 6-3, December 2025).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on extending the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA tax abatement completion date to June 30, 2026, Resolution #3660 (passed 6-3, December 2025).
  • NoMatthew H. BentleyVoted no on extending the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA tax abatement completion date to June 30, 2026, Resolution #3660 (passed 6-3, December 2025).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, December 15, 2025 · Dec 15, 2025Link

Special assessments

Dec 8, 2025

Recommending a $2,800 maximum residential cap on 2026 special assessments for Oak and South streets

Result as recorded: failed 1-7, December 2025

  • YesMatthew H. BentleyMoved and voted yes on recommending a $2,800 maximum residential cap on 2026 special assessments for Oak and South streets (failed 1-7, December 2025).
  • NoBob FlynnVoted no on recommending a $2,800 maximum residential cap on 2026 special assessments for Oak and South streets (failed 1-7, December 2025).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on recommending a $2,800 maximum residential cap on 2026 special assessments for Oak and South streets (failed 1-7, December 2025).
  • NoRobert SochaVoted no on recommending a $2,800 maximum residential cap on 2026 special assessments for Oak and South streets (failed 1-7, December 2025).

Hillsdale City Council Committee of the Whole minutes, December 8, 2025 · Dec 8, 2025Link

Mar 2, 2026

Suspending the requirement to levy special assessment districts for 2026 road projects until the November election

Result as recorded: failed 2-6, March 2026

  • YesMatthew H. BentleyMoved and voted yes on suspending the requirement to levy special assessment districts for 2026 road projects until the November election (failed 2-6, March 2026).
  • NoBob FlynnVoted no on suspending the requirement to levy special assessment districts for 2026 road projects until the November election (failed 2-6, March 2026).
  • NoRobert SochaVoted no on suspending the requirement to levy special assessment districts for 2026 road projects until the November election (failed 2-6, March 2026).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026Link

Mar 16, 2026

Levying the sinking fund up to .5 mill to repave Oak Street

Result as recorded: failed 3-5, March 2026

  • YesBob FlynnVoted yes on levying the sinking fund up to .5 mill to repave Oak Street (failed 3-5, March 2026).
  • YesRobert SochaVoted yes on levying the sinking fund up to .5 mill to repave Oak Street (failed 3-5, March 2026).
  • NoJacob BrunsVoted no on levying the sinking fund up to .5 mill to repave Oak Street (failed 3-5, March 2026).
  • NoMatthew H. BentleyVoted no on levying the sinking fund up to .5 mill to repave Oak Street (failed 3-5, March 2026).

Hillsdale City Council minutes, March 16, 2026 · Mar 16, 2026Link

A “—” means the line records something other than a plain yes or no (a motion, an abstention, or two votes in one line); read the line itself. How this guide works