The Michigan City Council convened on September 24, 2025, to discuss significant adjustments to the city’s budget, particularly focusing on the engineering department's financial allocations. The proposed budget for 2026 reflects a substantial increase, rising from $298,281 to $600,000, effectively doubling the previous year's allocation. This notable change has raised questions among council members regarding the rationale behind such a significant increase.

During the meeting, it was clarified that part of this budgetary shift involves reallocating funds from the Board of Works to the engineering budget. This decision comes as the city aims to enhance oversight and approval processes for repair and maintenance expenses. With the recent appointment of a new engineer, Tim, the council emphasized the importance of having engineering professionals review and approve these expenditures to ensure accountability and proper management of city resources.

The council members discussed the implications of this reallocation, noting that it would streamline the approval process for maintenance-related expenses. By moving these costs into the engineering budget, the city aims to create a more structured approach to managing repairs and maintenance, which were previously not included in the engineering budget for the years 2023 and 2024.

This budget workshop highlighted the council's commitment to improving financial oversight and operational efficiency within city departments. As the council continues to refine the budget, the focus will remain on ensuring that all expenditures are justified and aligned with the city's long-term goals. The next steps will involve further discussions on the budget and potential adjustments as the council seeks to finalize the financial plan for the upcoming year.