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Gary Community School Corporation unveils $76.3 million proposed 2026 budget; public hearing set for Oct. 9
Summary
District financial adviser Baker Tilly presented a proposed $76.3 million 2026 appropriated budget, an advertised property tax levy of $67.3 million (advertised rate $3.08) and a timeline that calls for a public budget hearing Oct. 9 and board adoption Oct. 23, with state review to follow.
Gary Community School Corporation officials presented a proposed $76,300,000 appropriated budget for fiscal 2026 at the Sept. 9 board meeting and outlined the public review timetable.
Sean McGill, senior manager and municipal adviser with Baker Tilly, told the board the district will hold an informational hearing Oct. 9 and the board is scheduled to consider adoption Oct. 23. "Following this, the board will be asked to hold a hearing on the budget on October 9," McGill said, explaining that the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) will then review the submission and issue a 1782 notice with a limited window for comment and adjustment.
McGill said the total proposed appropriations are $76,300,000 with a projected property tax levy of $67,300,000 and an advertised property tax rate of $3.08. He described the advertised levy as a high‑side figure intended to capture all allowable revenue and said the state typically reduces the advertised levy during its review. "Advertise represents the budget as it's displayed," McGill said, noting prior years' reductions as the state finalizes levies.
The presentation broke the budget into the district's major funds: 42% of proposed expenditures are allocated to the education fund, 14% to the referendum fund, about 29% to operations and roughly 15% to debt service. McGill outlined that within the education fund, approximately 73% of expenditures are planned for salaries and wages, with employee benefits representing roughly 24%.
McGill also reviewed longer‑term fiscal considerations, including that debt service payments were just above $11 million in 2025 and are expected to step down in later years, which could provide additional flexibility for future budgeting choices.
District officials said the budget materials and presentation will be posted to BoardDocs and the district website for public review. If adopted by the board and after DLGF review, the final levy and tax rate will be set and published per statute.
Next steps: public hearing Oct. 9; board adoption vote expected Oct. 23; DLGF review and issuance of the 1782 notice to follow.
