Schererville council adopts 2026 budget, raises police fees, approves personnel policy, property purchase and contract awards

The Schererville Town Council on Oct. 8 adopted the town’s proposed 2026 budget and approved a package of ordinances, contracts and purchases in unanimous votes.

Budget and tax rate: Clerk treasurer Michael Troxell introduced ordinance 2029 (second public hearing) and summarized the budget framework. The 2026 general budget was prepared with projected growth of about 4.25%. Troxell said the proposed property tax rate is 0.6191% before expected Department of Local Government Finance adjustments; Troxell said the DLGF adjustments are expected to reduce the rate to roughly 0.4676. On motion and second, the council adopted ordinance 2029 and authorized the clerk treasurer to submit documents through the DLGF gateway for certification (vote 5–0).

Police fees and records: Director of operations Andy Hansen and the Board of Safety recommended amending the police fee schedule to raise tow release and unclaimed vehicle fees from $40 to $50 and to increase fees for accident reports and photographs. Hansen explained the change: "This comes from the Board of Safety as a 5–0 recommendation. This would raise the tow release fee from $40 to $50 and also does the same for the unclaimed vehicle fee." Council approved ordinance 2031. The council also approved ordinance 2032, which raises accident report fees from $8 to $12, photo fees from $7 to $15 and sets electronic/video reproduction fees for body-worn camera footage (a $50 nonrefundable advance request fee and $100 for 60 minutes or less, $150 for over 60), citing the new workload for review and redaction.

Personnel policy and other administrative actions: The council reviewed and approved updates to the town’s personnel policy (ordinance 2033), a comprehensive overhaul addressing holiday pay, vacation, sick leave and compliance with newer laws; council members thanked staff for the clarity of the draft and the motion carried 5–0.

Kennedy Avenue projects and contracts: The council ratified a utility board recommendation to award the Kennedy Avenue Lift Station replacement contract to Grimmer Construction, Inc. for $744,820 (engineer’s opinion of probable cost $800,000; two bids opened Oct. 6). Council also approved acquisition of temporary and permanent right-of-way for Phase 3 of Kennedy Avenue (parcels 232–248 Kennedy Ave) from Dean’s Properties LLC for $155,800, based on an appraisal. The council accepted change order #4 from CSK Architects (credit of $11,100) for the biosolid storage building project; those motions carried unanimously.

Donations and routine business: The council accepted in-kind and monetary donations collected in September that totaled $1,847.98 for animal control, the Willow Fund and the police department. Several other routine claims and minutes across town boards were approved earlier in the evening.

What was decided and what to watch: The council’s votes were unanimous on the principal ordinances and procurement items. The budget adoption now proceeds to DLGF review and certification. The Kennedy Avenue purchases and contract award will move the right-of-way and construction phases forward on that street-improvement project.

Next step: Clerk treasurer Troxell will submit the adopted budget to the Department of Local Government Finance for certification; the Kennedy Avenue contractor and property acquisition moves to final execution by town staff.