The Michigan City Council has proposed a budget for the 2026 fiscal year that includes a standard 2% salary increase for various departments, but discussions during the recent budget workshop on September 24, 2025, revealed a significant recommendation to forego this increase for city council members.

During the meeting, Amber LePage from the attorney department confirmed that her budget would remain unchanged aside from the anticipated salary increase. The council unanimously recommended accepting the attorney department's budget as presented.

However, the conversation shifted when the topic of the city council's salary arose. Council members discussed the possibility of maintaining their current salaries without the proposed 2% increase. Councilman Kerr, who was not present at the meeting, had previously indicated a desire to forego the increase, prompting a motion to that effect. This recommendation will be revisited at the next council meeting, allowing for further discussion and potential amendments.

Additionally, the human resources department presented its budget, which included a $2,500 allocation for rental equipment, specifically for a shared copy machine. The finance committee accepted this budget without any significant concerns raised.

The workshop served as a platform for department heads to present their budgets and for council members to prepare for upcoming discussions. While the proposed budget reflects a standard increase for most departments, the decision to potentially forgo the salary increase for council members highlights a commitment to fiscal responsibility and responsiveness to community needs. The council will continue to refine the budget in the coming weeks, with final decisions expected at the next meeting.