The Michigan City Council held a budget workshop on September 24, 2025, focusing on revenue projections and expense management for the upcoming fiscal year. Key discussions revolved around the anticipated revenue from service charges, particularly for highway and street parking stickers, as well as rental fees for Memorial Park.

Council members noted an increase in sticker sales, attributing this to public perception of the stickers as a bargain. Although actual revenue from stickers decreased this year, projections for 2026 suggest a significant increase, with expectations of $12,000 more than initially projected for 2025. The council is currently evaluating whether to raise sticker prices for the next year.

In addition, the council discussed rental revenues from Memorial Park, which have also exceeded projections by $10,000. This increase is not due to higher fees but rather a return to pre-pandemic rental levels, as community engagement in park activities has rebounded.

Another topic of interest was the revenue from the zoo train. Initially, the train charged a fee, but it was made free to enhance visitor experience. The council is now considering removing the projected revenue of $6,146 from the budget, as they plan to keep the train free and recoup costs through admission fees instead.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of accurately reflecting revenue expectations in the budget, ensuring that the council's financial planning aligns with actual community usage and engagement trends. Further discussions will continue as the council finalizes the budget for the upcoming year.