Gary Council Introduces Salary and Operating Budgets
The Gary Common Council, during its Tuesday session, reviewed an ordinance proposing approval of the city's salary and operating budgets for employees paid through special revenue and grant funds. The measure was read for the first time and referred to the council’s finance committee for further review.
The finance committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday evening, though the ordinance has not yet appeared on the published agenda. The proposal includes figures for several departments and funds that were not part of the previously approved 2026 budget, such as the alcohol fund, city court public defender fund, and drug court funds.
Special Revenue Funds and Their Purpose
According to the Indiana State Board of Accounts, special revenue funds are legally restricted to specific purposes.
These purposes often cover areas like motor vehicle highways, local roads, riverboat operations, parks and recreation, cemeteries, aviation, parking meters, and rainy-day reserves.
Future Steps
A more detailed breakdown of allocations within these special and grant funds is expected to be presented at the upcoming finance committee meeting, followed by a council vote. On October 28, the Gary Common Council approved the city’s 2026 general budget, as well as budgets for the Gary Public Transportation Corporation, the redevelopment commission, and the Gary/Chicago International Airport. The total 2026 budget for tax-based funds is estimated at about $1.
Author’s Summary
The Gary Council is advancing a new ordinance to define salaries and budgets for employees funded by special revenues and grants, pending finance committee review.