[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5985477,"mediaKeyId","5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3","parentId",5810111,"title","Council presents $124.69 million 2026 budget; public hearing set for Sept. 29","audioSeconds",111,"startMs",3523000,"endMs",3634000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3&start=3523&end=3634","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3/thumbnail_3523000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5985477/Kokomo-City/Howard-County/Indiana/Council-presents-12469-million-2026-budget-public-hearing-set-for-Sept-29","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985477-83a4f7884bca99ba0c9982c50202aaf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212225&Signature=eQfKF5VM2QboH3ZFfgHzbvRbEK9-uTbK02G7hf-Zk3CddOHMjjPAZ1xTX5qZTWp80~MzZFUFwT8TID7rhGEm~NziY5M3EneSnoaHoMvN2Yn9a5IGQdQMi0nmo4aK7i0~BktPlmCbYRY5S6U4h9OgaOJrteXo3LP19jurQ~FoAENFvzwNfZmuuu7RApxABGEsrI5InWcvQkHAIig9QW7y-0brN8CE1nymMSnw9rzDcb8XTrGkSPCrT8QIzCxokiTjLBuXFZNXp2O9yzFJztnTgHqW-~msQ1Z~2BLQHIuNJMJY~IhldTzIoCVtJUUGmWYQ2LMQDf59QIgylvSmzQSn7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kokomo City, IN","date","2025-09-13T04:03:03Z","article","KOKOMO, Ind. — The Kokomo Common Council introduced and passed on first reading Ordinance 72-11, which fixes the city’s 2026 budget at $124,690,661, with the council scheduling a public hearing on the budget for Sept. 29.

Budget outline: Councilman Miklick presented the ordinance on first reading and summarized the major components: a general fund of approximately $60,000,000; property-tax-backed funds of roughly $25,000,000; non-property-tax-backed funds of about $9,500,000; and tax-increment financing (TIF) funds of about $29,000,000, for a stated total of $124,690,661.

Process and next steps: The council approved the ordinance on first reading and the mayor’s office and staff will continue budget outreach; the council scheduled a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget (Ordinance 72-11) for Sept. 29, when members of the public will have an opportunity to comment before final readings.

Context: Council members and staff linked the budget discussions and potential supplemental measures—such as the trash-collection fee—to revenue changes following the enactment of Senate Bill 1 and to rising equipment and service costs across city departments. The council did not finalize the budget at this meeting; the first-reading approval keeps the ordinance on the schedule for public comment and eventual final adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council - September 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilman Miklick presented Ordinance 72-11 to fix the 2026 budget at $124,690,661, allocating $60 million to the general fund and $29 million to TIF; the council approved the ordinance on first reading and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 29.","taxTitle","Kokomo City, Howard County, Indiana","taxId",26298,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985483,"Council approves rezoning for Sweet Peas Play Cafe site; public raises proximity concerns to schools",120,2810000,2930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3&start=2810&end=2930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3/thumbnail_2810000.jpg","/articles/5985483/Kokomo-City/Howard-County/Indiana/Council-approves-rezoning-for-Sweet-Peas-Play-Cafe-site-public-raises-proximity-concerns-to-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985483-f317ada70cfd46f44b25ba5dbed7d72b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212225&Signature=N2La0oz~0nBuYoFOBa3WzOK9CeytM9-dQlgBhBwjsaTeoSz9DMneklR3o4VNFcACZN-btT~HWksyWl4A6TzU42tbypgMSZTbrrBMCwFud4LeNoERA~tKEFFHvxGdScYKwj58CYUo71jRTG6P5S4t17hYnW8UzksmM0RMLr4Dp5J5fIPC1g3H69NqDVz1a6fqFWoYa2e~2rV6LIWklAygMNlLczkKBIegLPqnvWdzkpoje9i6omZALySemBnz~7LbUEdgW-puZIcviatDdZNFxauB9kvLThrucNFCnpRReQdDz-PI4bNk5msfXJbnHK8~2hTL3gSHFNp46ikCMm55EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KOKOMO, Ind. — The Kokomo Common Council on second reading adopted Ordinance 72-09, rezoning property at 1825 South Plate Street from NC (Neighborhood Commercial) to C-2 (medium to large-scale general commercial) to accommodate the relocation of a long-standing local business, Sweet Peas Play Cafe LLC, which plans to operate as a gun shop at the site.

Ordinance and use: Councilman Grieco said the business has existed in the community for many years and that the requested C-2 zoning is consistent with surrounding properties. Councilman Grieco and the council noted the plan commission had unanimously approved the rezoning petition. The council recorded that the proposed business would be a gun shop; the transcript states the business is considering a virtual shooting range but that there would be no live-fire shooting at the proposed location.

Public comment: A member of the public, Hannah Guillaume Wenger, spoke in opposition, noting that the location is close to Buena Vista, the Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy, and other child-centered facilities and saying she was uncomfortable with a gun shop near schools and childcare programs. Her comments were recorded during the floor communications prior to the council vote.

Outcome: Council voted to pass Ordinance 72-09 on second reading; a motion for passage was made by Councilman Grieco and seconded, and the council signified approval by voice vote.

Background and process: The rezoning request (case P19Z25) had received unanimous support from the plan commission; the council’s action finalizes the zoning change, allowing the property owner to proceed with business plans subject to any applicable licensing or building-permit processes.","The council approved Ordinance 72-09 on second reading to rezone 1825 South Plate Street from NC to C-2 for a gun shop (no live fire), drawing a public comment expressing concern about proximity to nearby child-centered facilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985487,"Council approves TIF-backed bonds and forgivable notes for Fairway multifamily projects",518,3007000,3525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3&start=3007&end=3525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/5985487/Kokomo-City/Howard-County/Indiana/Council-approves-TIF-backed-bonds-and-forgivable-notes-for-Fairway-multifamily-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985487-3bda9d89003c7ecfc43428197ae854df/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212225&Signature=kw5yB1h1UClwCI4l0MJkqY7jGr718JecweHUTtLDMHVI5908BZT3g01gkPaM~tJ85G8jk7WCbweNQLwGtC1SoVcpEqOF06CuN6IFKzsUADCzwofFXzUc2kwC1cDkOF9uhLMfgL6HW1~oC2mYJClm9L2yC6bw6WfsYPXLM-YoMqrwamG4xFN5N-0h9orR~J1j-mO51oD0yEb4OxCJuVb10SpCkyxYSidpQAYjFNrU~ts2MdHFJEsJ7ixHPXSn~U0y8PMZWMj~iIT-wKmUAi~SdSpn6QcSudVj40G6-1QbS4bBVEY-AmJvS3dL0rvgAWq0OBbNJzOrHGsnZ0e-J2WMCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KOKOMO, Ind. — The Kokomo Common Council on second reading approved Ordinance 72-10, authorizing the issuance of taxable economic development tax-increment revenue bonds (not to exceed $8 million) and taxable economic development revenue notes (not to exceed $5 million, on a forgivable basis) to support multifamily development identified as the Fairway Core and Fairway Forward projects.

What the ordinance does: The ordinance authorizes the City of Kokomo to permit the Economic Development Commission to issue and pledge tax-increment revenues to finance portions of the projects. The ordinance states the bonds and forgivable notes are special, limited obligations of the city and “do not and shall never constitute an indebtedness of or a charge against the general credit rating and taxing power of the city,” meaning repayment is tied to the financing agreement and pledged incremental revenues rather than the city’s general fund.

Public questions and staff explanation: During floor discussion, a resident asked whether taxpayers would be on the hook if the developer could not repay the financing. Weston Reed, Director of Development, explained the common TIF practice: the developer issues bonds tied to the project, and project revenues and incremental tax receipts are used to retire the bonds over time. The economic redevelopment commission had held a public hearing on Aug. 7 and recommended the financing to the council, per the ordinance text.

Why it matters: City staff argued that targeted multifamily development can broaden Kokomo’s revenue mix by bringing more income-tax payers into the city, which staff say could help reduce the city’s reliance on property taxes over time. The ordinance directs city officials to proceed with the financing steps and authorizes the mayor and city controller to execute sale documents as necessary.

Outcome: Council approved Ordinance 72-10 on second reading. The ordinance requires the city and the redevelopment commission to perform the required procedural steps (public notices and hearings) and to pledge incremental revenues as described in the ordinance text.

What remains open: Specific financing closings, borrower identities, and project timelines were described in general terms in the ordinance but were not detailed on the council floor; council members and staff indicated the projects will proceed through the standard TIF and closing processes outlined by the redevelopment commission.","The Common Council approved Ordinance 72-10 on second reading to permit up to $8 million in taxable TIF-backed bonds and up to $5 million in forgivable notes to support the Fairway Core and Fairway Forward multifamily projects; the financing is structured as limited obligations payable from project revenues and tax increment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985490,"Kokomo council advances $10 monthly trash fee in 7–1 first-reading vote after heated public hearing",3379,733000,4112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3&start=733&end=4112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810111-4534ee84ea6a6371011dd159d82a95b3/thumbnail_733000.jpg","/articles/5985490/Kokomo-City/Howard-County/Indiana/Kokomo-council-advances-10-monthly-trash-fee-in-71-first-reading-vote-after-heated-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985490-3a613decfad3f735dde5b390d763e34c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212225&Signature=UWwMoZ2M9hAzDtzN~67Htp7aq~2c9VIe98xJcrGN7NGcJ26hUZ-dgT6RdXUTVIkidX9SOHU9aj7cAnq1mpojy8rALisaX5d~UuGT7GmnSWYbNVjR6oV6cr0EFseigfdvz7LH-pUINZUMmSbUa5Lkuz8a-nHWh6wUjRrFci8MEE0jtQkI8IvvmbXnNgfezA1RyEtpH~zCfDm6ceBWQ69EmvpgqJ-XOOlXd4o7ShL1XR0ojcrg1i4KUXQKKesqRBf~HyKETjNkzgnNvfBAgKzVs~ghRCIiTYpiZ5okeypczJSaCDKTbW90c~hTZo42yyiczIJArbWR1yN5WsO941ZQYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KOKOMO, Ind. — The Kokomo Common Council advanced an ordinance to impose a monthly trash-collection fee on residential customers, voting 7–1 to adopt Ordinance 72-08 on first reading after a public hearing in which numerous residents opposed the measure.

The ordinance, as drafted, would add a $10 per month charge per eligible residential dwelling unit to the city wastewater bill beginning with wastewater bills issued on or after Jan. 1, 2026; a cash-collection price of $15 per month is included for other payment methods. The ordinance also creates two $5-per-month discount paths: one for owner-occupants with certain property-tax deductions (blind/disabled, over-65, disabled veteran/surviving spouse) and one for low-income households at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines, subject to annual application and Board of Public Works and Safety approval.

Why it matters: City officials said the fee is intended to close a growing gap between the cost of providing trash and recycling services and the revenues available to the city, especially after changes enacted by the Indiana General Assembly in Senate Bill 1. Weston Reed, the city’s Director of Development, told the council that single-family properties in the county collectively pay about $7.8 million in property taxes but that only about $327,000 of that currently flows to Kokomo’s refuse budget. Reed said the full annual cost of the city-run trash service is roughly $4.3 million, including about $1.4 million in landfill tipping fees, roughly $1.45 million for equipment (he cited an automated truck cost of about $385,000 and a need to acquire two per year to maintain rotation), and about $1.5 million in labor costs. Reed also estimated Kokomo serves about 21,000 households and warned the city faces about $6.6 million in revenue losses over the next three years tied to SB1 provisions.

Public comment: The council allowed a public hearing before the vote. Dozens of residents spoke; the vast majority opposed the fee. Residents raised multiple concerns: that calling the charge a “fee” masks its tax-like effect; that retirees and low-income households on fixed incomes would be disproportionately affected; that the billing through wastewater statements would publicly display charges; and that the fee is not strictly usage‑based. Representative remarks included: “I oppose Ordinance 72-08,” said Hannah Guillaume Wenger, a Kokomo resident, during the hearing. Jack Chance, another resident, said, “This is just another bill at a time when rent, groceries, and utilities are already breaking us.” Some speakers proposed alternatives, such as charging for large-item pickups, expanding tree-limb pickup fees, or seeking budget adjustments rather than creating a new recurring charge.

Labor and city officials: Patterson Day, staff representative for AFSCME Local 2185, said the union supported the ordinance and that city and union representatives “worked with the city to figure out some creative solutions” to offset revenue losses. Mayor Tyler Moore and staff framed the fee as a means to retain and recruit public works and refuse employees and to fund necessary equipment.

Council action and next steps: Councilmember presention and first-reading procedures concluded with a roll-call vote: the ordinance passed first reading on a 7–1 vote (Councilman Stevenson cast the lone “nay”). The ordinance text sets up collection of the fee through the wastewater billing process, allows the city controller to segregate trash funds from wastewater revenues, and authorizes liening delinquent charges under Indiana Code 36-9-23. The ordinance requires annual reapplication for the low-income discount and provides the Board of Public Works and Safety authority to grant waivers. Final adoption requires subsequent readings; the council indicated there would be no more public comment on this item until later readings.

Budget context: Council members and staff said the fee is one of several measures being considered to address budgetary shortfalls driven by state-level tax changes and rising operating costs. City documents and council remarks referenced a proposed 2026 city budget and the impacts of SB1 as factors in the timing of the trash-fee proposal.

Implementation details from the ordinance: The draft ordinance defines eligible residential dwelling units and provides each eligible dwelling two canisters (either one 95‑gallon trash container and one 95‑gallon recycling container, or two 95‑gallon trash containers); specifies exemptions and discount eligibility; makes the fee subject to the same delinquency, penalty, interest and lien processes as wastewater charges; and requires the city controller to keep a separate trash-collection fund.

What remains open: The ordinance passed first reading; final adoption requires further council action in later readings. The precise administrative rules for applying discounts and processing waivers will be set by the Board of Public Works and Safety as directed in the ordinance.","After a public hearing with dozens of residents objecting, the Kokomo Common Council passed the first reading of Ordinance 72-08 to impose a $10 monthly trash-collection fee, with discounts and implementation tied to wastewater billing beginning Jan. 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council presents $124.69 million 2026 budget; public hearing set for Sept. 29

Council approves rezoning for Sweet Peas Play Cafe site; public raises proximity concerns to schools

Council approves TIF-backed bonds and forgivable notes for Fairway multifamily projects

Kokomo council advances $10 monthly trash fee in 7–1 first-reading vote after heated public hearing