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Hammond council adopts FY2025-26 budget with amendments after extensive debate on sidewalks, drainage and capital projects
Summary
Council approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, including a long list of amendments and capital project adjustments after public input about sidewalks, drainage and district priorities; the budget passed as amended with a small projected general fund balance.
The Hammond City Council adopted the city's fiscal year 2025-26 budget on June 24, approving a set of administration- and council-proposed amendments after weeks of work sessions.
Council members reviewed a long amendment list that revised capital projects, moved several drainage and sidewalk projects between fiscal years, and adjusted personnel and revenue line items. The amendments included moving several drainage projects into the 2025-26 year, adding and removing sidewalk projects, and other capital adjustments. Staff said the amendments leave the general fund balanced with a modest ending balance and increase projected sales tax revenues by $1,000,000 in the amended plan.
Public comment focused heavily on sidewalk and drainage needs in multiple neighborhoods, particularly District 3, where residents and Councilman Devon urged immediate sidewalk completion and expressed frustration with perceived planning and communication lapses. One resident described mobility challenges and asked the council to prioritize contiguous sidewalk blocks so wheelchair users could avoid riding in streets.
Council members discussed phase sequencing (drainage before sidewalks), the engineer's recommendations, and the desire to spread projects equitably across districts. After line-by-line consideration of dozens of amendments, the council voted to adopt the budget as amended. Staff reported the amended package left an ending general fund balance of roughly $12,294 and a sales tax fund balance of about $623,060 on the presented figures.
Council instructed staff to return with any additional adjustments as revenue becomes available and noted that specific projects will later require bids and separate contract approvals.
