Terre Haute mayor unveils $127.8 million 2026 budget, cites casino revenue and reserves to cushion policy changes

Mayor (name not specified) presented the proposed 2026 City of Terre Haute operating budget to the city council on Sept. 24, saying revenue is projected at $127,800,000 and that casino wagering funds will cover many one‑time projects and help avoid a new local wheel tax for now.

The budget “consists of 35 total funds,” the mayor said, including 27 general operating funds, one enterprise fund for the wastewater treatment plant and seven redevelopment funds. He told the council he projects casino wagering revenue of roughly $9 million in 2026 and said the administration will budget only two‑thirds of casino dollars and keep one‑third as a reserve.

That reserve strategy, the mayor said, is intended to blunt future effects of state policy changes referred to in the meeting as “Senate Enrollment Act 1,” which the administration expects will reduce local revenue growth in the coming years. “Due to the upcoming impacts of Senate Enrollment Act 1 ... it’s best to be conservative in our revenue projections,” he said.

Key elements of the proposal:

- Revenue and reserves: The administration presented total projected city revenue of $127.8 million (redevelopment revenue excluded) and said miscellaneous non‑property revenues make up about $90.5 million of that figure. Property‑tax…