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Finance committee recommends council forego 2% salary increase for 2026

5836653 · September 26, 2025

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Summary

During the Sept. 24 budget workshop, the finance committee recommended that the Common Council forego a proposed 2% salary increase for council members in 2026. The committee will forward that recommendation to the full council.

Lede: The Michigan City Finance Committee recommended on Sept. 24 that the Common Council not adopt a proposed 2% pay increase for council members in 2026.

Nut graf: Committee members discussed a motion to keep council salaries at 2025 levels; the committee recommended that the council forego the 2% increase and that council members may later propose amendments at the council meeting if they choose.

Body: The mayor's proposed budget included a 2% pay increase for city employees, with the city council's line included in the package. A committee member noted that Councilman Dr. Cora (absent earlier in the workshop) had moved that the council be paid the same amount as in 2025 and not accept the 2% increase. The finance committee recorded a recommendation that the Common Council maintain the previous salary level for council members rather than adopt the 2% increase.

Committee staff clarified procedure: the finance committee can recommend budget reductions but not increases; any councilmember may offer an amendment during the council meeting. The committee asked staff to prepare the appropriate ordinance language to reflect the recommendation.

Ending: The recommendation will be forwarded to the Common Council for the October readings; councilmembers may propose amendments at the public hearings if they wish.