Burns Harbor RDC approves TIF amendment and payment to finish town hall renovations

The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission voted to amend its 2025 spending plan to cover cost overruns on town hall renovations and approved payment of remaining contractor invoices using RDC TIF funds.

Staff told the commission two invoices remained for the Hen and Sons/ Henningsen town-hall project: one balance cited in the meeting as $7,002.66 (invoice 31954) and another as $3,003.20 (invoice 03/1955). Staff computed those line items as the outstanding amounts; the commission was advised that RDC TIF funds were available to cover the overage. The meeting record includes an internal total and later recorded motions that approved payment; commissioners also discussed ensuring accurate invoice amounts before payment.

The commission first voted to amend the 2025 capital-expenditure line item from $718,005.11 to $729,098.32 so the additional outlay would be authorized in the RDC budget. After that vote, the commission voted to approve payment of the remaining balance to Hen and Sons/Henningsen for the town hall remodel; the motion carried on roll call.

Speakers discussed minor contract wording and the need to track payment approvals. One commissioner noted the item had been raised at a recent town council meeting and returned to the RDC for funding. Staff confirmed the RDC had sufficient funds to cover the requested payments. The commission recorded the budget amendment and invoice approval in separate motions as required by staff guidance.

Motion and votes: The commission voted to increase capital expenditures (roll call recorded in transcript). The commission then voted to approve payment of the remaining balance for town hall renovations to Hen and Sons/Henningsen, to be paid from RDC TIF funds. Roll-call votes on both motions were recorded as affirmative in the meeting transcript.