Burns Harbor opens 2026 budget public hearing, approves first reading of resolution 2025-17

The Burns Harbor Town Council opened a public hearing on the town’s proposed 2026 budget and voted to adopt the budget on first reading under Resolution 2025-17.

The hearing and first-reading vote came during the council meeting when a staff member identified as Nick presented the resolution, saying, "In front of you is resolution 20 25 dash 17, which is the 2026 budget resolution that's created in gateway. So it is the the standard format." Councilmembers were told the adoption date printed in the document will be updated to Oct. 27 for final adoption.

The council discussed line items and how they are presented in the budget sheets. When a council member asked why the "Local Road to Street" line showed zero, Nick explained that it is "a grant, not a tax levy." He also explained that the economic development income tax shown in the sheets is a distribution, not a tax levy, and that sanitation is treated as an in-and-out item where charges collected cover the budgeted expense. Nick summarized: "These numbers are fed from the budget sheets, so everything matches up."

A motion was made to adopt the 2026 budget (Resolution 2025-17) as the first reading; the motion was seconded. In a roll call, Councilwoman Bean Cardi, Councilman McGraw, Councilwoman Draves and Councilwoman McCarck recorded "yes." The council noted that final adoption and the formal vote to set the date of adoption will occur at the Oct. 27 meeting.

The hearing was opened and closed with no public speakers recorded in the transcript. The council confirmed the timetable for final adoption and the staff update to the resolution date.

Final adoption of the 2026 budget under Resolution 2025-17 is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 27.