Town of Merrillville adopts 2026 budget, authorizes $33 million in bond proceeds for fire station and road work

The Town Council of the Town of Merrillville on Sept. 23 adopted its 2026 budget and confirmed the issuance and allocation of bond proceeds tied to redevelopment projects, council members said during the meeting.

Trista, the town’s financial advisor, told the council the town’s assessed value rose by about $100 million from last year’s determination, producing roughly $336,370 in allowable levy growth under state rules. “The general fund as a current budget is listed at $13,254,000,” Trista said during the public hearing on Ordinance 25-31.

The council voted on Ordinance 25-31 (the 2026 advertised budget) by roll call; the motion carried 7-0. Council members discussed that portion of bond proceeds will be allocated to several projects previously presented to the Redevelopment Commission. According to remarks at the meeting, the bond issuance produced just over $33,000,000 in proceeds. Council materials and comments described the planned allocation as $15,000,000 toward a new fire station and approximately $18,000,000 for roadway and subdivision street improvements, including $6,000,000 dedicated to repairing the worst roads and $12,000,000 toward the Wickham Street extension and related development work.

Councilor Pettit and other councilors explained the bond debt service will be paid from tax increment financing (TIF) capture in redevelopment districts rather than from a general property tax increase paid by typical residential taxpayers. “The bonds were sold. Eric should have the money, setting up the accounts,” Pettit said during the redevelopment report, and Mr. January (town trustee/finance clerk) confirmed the breakout of bond proceeds and reiterated that the TIF areas are expected to fund the debt service.

The council also approved Ordinance 25-26 (an RDC additional appropriation of $70,000) and Resolution 25-35 (a $300 intra-departmental transfer in Human Resources) during the meeting; both measures passed 7-0. The council approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting (accounts payable register, minutes and a $33,000 street-department tanker purchase request) by voice vote as moved by Councilor Uslak and seconded by Councilor Pettit.

During the public hearing on the budget, members of the public urged the council to use new revenues to address staffing and public-safety needs. One resident said the town should allocate funds to increase pay and staffing for police and fire to keep pace with growth. The council noted the budget includes planning for food-and-beverage tax spending and that some capital projects will be funded through redevelopment mechanisms.

No amendments to the advertised 2026 budget were recorded on the floor at the adoption vote. The council indicated further line-item decisions, as usual, will be reflected in subsequent appropriations and department budgets.