The Michigan City Common Council Finance Committee on Sept. 16, 2025, reviewed the timeline for the 2026 budget process and heard first-reading ordinances that set 2026 salaries for the mayor, the city clerk and common council members.

City staff told the committee the advertised budget will be posted in Gateway at least 10 days before the public hearing, which is expected at the next city council meeting; final adoption requires subsequent readings. The City Controller explained, “the adopt the advertised budget will be advertised in Gateway at least 10 days before the public hearing,” language recorded in the meeting transcript.

The ordinances on first reading listed annual salaries of $93,280 for the mayor, $76,252.73 for the city clerk and $15,734.68 for each common council member for calendar year 2026. Committee members asked no substantive questions, and there were no public comments. Because these were first readings, the committee did not vote to adopt the salary ordinances; the items will follow the city’s ordinance-reading procedure, which typically includes second and third readings and a final adoption vote by the full council.

Committee staff advised that the advertised budget and related ordinances will proceed through the standard public notice and council readings before any salaries or appropriations take effect.