Angola council approves zoning change, park appropriation and clerk‑treasurer pay amendment; hears project updates

The Angola Common Council met on Monday in Angola, Indiana, and approved a third‑reading zoning amendment, an additional appropriation for the park building fund, an amendment increasing the clerk‑treasurer pay increase, and several routine finance items while receiving updates on capital projects and community events.

Council members and staff led the meeting, which included votes on three ordinances and approvals of grants and accounts payable. Mayor (name not specified) told the council the city will not face a health care premium increase next year and that most employees will receive a 4% pay increase. "We will not have an increase in premiums for our health care next year," the mayor said, adding that this year the city is providing most employees a 4% pay increase and that they will not see higher health care costs.

The meeting opened with roll call and moved through several ordinance readings. The council approved Ordinance No. 17‑83‑2025, a third reading to amend the city zoning map for property identified as 520 South 100 East. The council also considered Ordinance No. 17‑84‑2025, which fixes compensation for elected officials for 2026. During discussion, a council member moved to amend the proposed compensation so that the clerk‑treasurer would receive a 4% increase (matching other department employees) rather than the previously proposed 2.7%. The council voted on the amendment and then on the ordinance; both votes were approved by voice vote.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on Ordinance No. 17‑85‑2025, an additional appropriation ordinance for the Park Building Fund, and advanced that ordinance through third reading after discussion. Ordinance No. 17‑86‑2025, which would amend Angola Municipal Code Title 10 (vehicles and traffic), chapter 10.25 (parking), received its first reading. Staff described the changes as a cleanup effort to align the ordinance with the streets the city actually owns and to add some new no‑parking locations on narrow residential streets where service vehicles have difficulty passing.

The council approved the city's proposed grants and subsidies for 2026 and approved accounts payable vouchers totaling $1,831,144.75 (voucher numbers $75,006.67 to $75,009.70 were cited), a figure that the clerk‑treasurer reported includes interfund transfers of $792,802.

Staff provided updates on several capital and maintenance projects. Amanda (city staff) said contractors for the "Cokin" project will mobilize in September with major construction beginning in October, with work expected to continue through July 2027. The Community Crossing resurfacing and milling work began the same week and is focusing first on Mark and Sarah Drive; staff estimated that phase should be wrapped up by Thanksgiving. The planned Bicycle Trail South project is moving toward a November bid letting, but several right‑of‑way purchases remain to be completed; staff advised that construction is likely next spring if right‑of‑way issues are resolved and any required DNR approvals are obtained.

Other announcements included TrineFest downtown (Saturday, noon–4 p.m.) and a downtown Cruise‑In scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5–8 p.m. Staff also noted a new project website created by Amanda's department, and city staff said a meeting is being scheduled with an environmental official in late September about a chloride issue for which the city has sent letters to the governor and the secretary of energy and environment.

The council set its next meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 2, and then adjourned.