The Michigan City Finance Committee on Dec. 2, 2025 recommended approval of a claims docket totaling $11,253.93 and reviewed year-end budget adjustments and pending ordinances that will go before the full city council.

Committee members approved payment to La Porte Chrysler Inc. for $7,053.93 and AquaLab Water Treatment Inc. for $4,200 as part of the riverboat claims docket. "A motion by Doctor Cora and a second by Mister Beatry" moved the claims; the committee voted by voice and the motion was recommended for approval.

The controller's office reported fiscal-year-to-date cash positions through Dec. 31, 2025, showing a riverboat fund ending balance of $4,986,953.74 and a rainy day fund balance of $1,430,137.92, for a combined total of $6,417,091.66.

Mary Lynn, a representative of the controller's office, told the committee the resolutions before council would move money between line items within existing funds rather than increase overall budgets. "We are not increasing any of the bottom line budgets. We are just moving money within the budgets," she said, explaining transfers that shift amounts from salaries and wages into repair and maintenance, equipment, gasoline and contractual services to cover anticipated year-end needs.

Committee members asked which specific line items would change; Mary Lynn said the motor vehicle highway fund and central maintenance and mayor's office budgets would reallocate money from salaries to pay for repairs, maintenance and overtime communications, and that staff would present those details at the council meeting to prevent misunderstanding.

The committee chair also listed several ordinances scheduled for the city council that evening: first-reading ordinances establishing 2026 salary schedules for the Michigan City Fire Department and the Michigan City Police Department; and second-reading ordinances proposing additional appropriations in the general fund and related funds for payment of remaining police and fire salaries and benefits, board of works utility expenses, personnel department salaries and wages, medical claims, and a rainy-day fund appropriation to pay for demolition of the Millennium Plaza Fountain.

Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded and the committee ended its meeting at approximately 6:11 p.m.

The items the finance committee reviewed and recommended will be considered by the full Michigan City Common Council at the council meeting scheduled that evening.