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Hammond approves FY2026 budget after heated debate over sidewalks, drainage and capital projects
Summary
After hours of discussion and votes on 46 proposed amendments, the council adopted a balanced FY2026 budget that reallocated funding for drainage and sidewalk projects, added and removed several capital requests, and left several politically sensitive items for later review or veto consideration.
The Hammond City Council adopted the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget June 24 after a prolonged session that included debate and recorded votes on dozens of amendments covering payroll items, capital projects, sidewalks and drainage work.
Councilwoman Gonzales presented a consolidated list of 47 proposed amendments compiled from prior budget work sessions and late adjustments. The council considered each amendment individually, approving some (airport revenue increases, salary restorations and certain capital additions) and removing or deferring others (some equipment and capital requests). City accounting staff said that with the adopted amendments the budget remains balanced: the general fund projected an ending balance of roughly $12,294 and the sales tax fund an ending balance of about $623,000 under the amended proposal.
A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to neighborhood infrastructure — councilmembers negotiated phasing of sidewalk projects on Natchez, Palmetto, and Haskins streets and moved drainage projects into earlier fiscal years for several districts. District 3’s councilmember pushed repeatedly for completing sidewalk blocks and flagged a mobility‑impaired resident who needs a continuous accessible route; other councilmembers pressed the engineer’s recommendation that drainage work generally precede sidewalk construction.
Council also debated staffing and positions: amendments removed two proposed patrol officers and three firefighter positions in the adopted amendment set, added back some vacant positions elsewhere, and adjusted salaries for certain roles (for example, the council clerk and select recreation positions). Several budget changes were recorded by roll call.
Public commenters endorsed or opposed specific amendments: residents from Woodbridge and other neighborhoods urged funding for drainage projects tied to Ida‑era damage; small business owners and downtown advocates asked for clarity about projects inside the Downtown Development District (DDD).
What’s next: the budget was adopted as amended. Council members noted that the mayor retains line‑item veto authority and that some items could be revisited if revenues or bids prompt changes. Council directed staff to post the amended budget and to follow standard procurement steps (bid and contract approval) before work begins on capital projects.
