Gary council approves TIF- and casino-funded incentive pay for city workers

The Gary Common Council voted 8–0 on Dec. 2 to approve CPO-2025-70, an ordinance that delivers one-time incentive payments to city employees funded without new taxes by combining casino operating funds and reallocated TIF (tax increment financing) revenues.

Mayor Eddie Melton told the council the package is intended to recognize city employees "for the hard work and resilience of our employees during a challenging year" and outlined the payment schedule: $7,500 for public safety employees, $2,000 for full-time civilian employees and $500 for part-time staff. "This ordinance is about recognizing the hard work and resilience of our employees," the mayor said during his overview.

Controller Salida Green presented a technical amendment to clarify that the $2,000 amount covers full-time civilian employees and that part-time employees receive $500. Controller Green said the amendment also adjusted a numeric line item for clarity. "An amendment is just to provide clarity, for the 2,000, which includes all civilians except the part time, which are $500," she said.

Attorney Carla Molina told the council the funding mechanism complies with Indiana law and that the redevelopment commission and plan commission previously approved reallocating TIF funds for public safety and related uses. "One million dollars will be coming from the Lakefront District for your Belmont area," Molina said, describing the source for part of the incentive pool.

Council members who spoke in support emphasized operational and retention benefits. Councilman Wissington explained tax increment financing to colleagues during debate, saying TIFs with no outstanding debt can now direct excess capital toward public safety and employee incentives.

Council moved to amend by substitution and adopt CPO-2025-70; the roll call vote was recorded 8–0 in favor. The council also suspended rules and passed three companion resolutions (CPR-2025-10, CPR-2025-11 and CPR-2025-12) on the same night to reauthorize the use of specified TIF allocations for the incentive payments.

The ordinance and companion resolutions allocate a mix of casino operating funds and TIF resources and, according to the administration, do not require a tax increase or dipping into reserves. The council did not specify an exact disbursement date during the meeting; administration staff indicated they would implement payments and follow up with details to council and employees.