Regional Deer Management Program

At a glance

• What: Resolution 26-1532 (R-26-377) directing the City Administrator to develop recommendations regarding a regional deer management program.
• Where it stands: Approved September 22, 2026, with amendment, by roll call vote 6-5.
• Amendment: Added requirement to include results and data from the City's 2010s deer management program to inform current and future efforts.

Vote Details

Roll call vote 6 yes, 5 no:

• Yeas: Disch, Radina, Watson, Akmon, Cornell, Mallek
• Nays: Taylor, Briggs, Eyer, Harrison, Ghazi Edwin

Public Comment

Supporters:

• Rita Mitchell - spoke about need for diversity of wildlife and environmental impacts from uncontrolled deer population
• Cathy Strachan - spoke in support of regional deer management program

Context

Discussion appears to relate to ongoing concerns about deer population management in the Ann Arbor region. The amendment to include historical program data suggests the City previously had a deer management program during the 2010s and wanted to learn from that experience.

Sources

• September 22, 2026 minutes: https://a2gov.legistar1.com/a2gov/meetings/2026/9/14159_M_City_Council_26-09-22_Meeting_Minutes.pdf

Log

2026-09-22 - City Council

Resolution 26-1532 (R-26-377) approved as amended by roll call vote 6 yes (Disch, Radina, Watson, Akmon, Cornell, Mallek), 5 no (Taylor, Briggs, Eyer, Harrison, Ghazi Edwin). Amendment to include historical program data accepted.

Debate: supporters cited Lyme disease increases and the lack of a program since January 2020; opponents cited the earlier cull, cost and community division. The resolution directs a study and report back and does not authorize a cull.