Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Growth topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Porte mayor frames 'growth' strategy, cites property tax reform and balanced 2026 budget
Summary
Mayor Tom Dermody told a packed State of the City audience that Senate Bill 1’s property tax changes require La Porte to pursue growth and efficiencies; he highlighted infrastructure projects, maintenance achievements and a planned balanced budget for 2026.
Mayor Tom Dermody said La Porte will respond to Indiana’s property tax reform by prioritizing growth, operational efficiencies and targeted infrastructure investments.
"Our commitment is to only do things that improve the lives of our residents," Dermody told attendees at the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership’s 2025 State of the City event, arguing the city must "grow, grow, grow" to remain financially viable after Senate Bill 1.
Dermody called the property tax changes enacted in Senate Bill 1 one of "the biggest challenges" since the pandemic and said advisers across the state urged municipalities to expand housing and industry. He credited Clerk Treasurer Courtney Partheun for helping the city plan a budget that, he said, will be balanced for 2026.
The mayor framed several ongoing and planned infrastructure projects as central to that growth strategy. He highlighted the Indiana Avenue project — new roads, sidewalks, upgraded water and wastewater systems and new lighting — and said the city worked with INDOT and secured $1,000,000 in federal support in 2024 through a member of Congress (transcript name: "congressman Mervain").
Dermody also pointed to street-maintenance work and equipment investments as an example of cost-effective stewardship: "In the last 30 days alone, we've crack-sealed just under 6 miles, which is 5% of our city streets," he said. He noted progress on the 39 North corridor and plans for one or two new water towers to support future development.
The mayor positioned these steps as part of a broader push to make La Porte more competitive for residential and technology-driven investment, saying, "No cannot be an option" when evaluating projects that align with the city's growth goals.
What happens next: Dermody invited residents to a civic meeting at city hall to discuss housing-related decisions and said staff will continue pursuing grants and partnerships to support infrastructure and development.
