The Town of Merrillville council adopted ordinance 25-28 on Dec. 23, updating municipal code language to incorporate state statutory language clarifying the powers and duties of the Clerk Treasurer, including provisions addressing records and memorialization of committee meetings.

Town Manager Michael Griffin and the town attorney briefed the council that the ordinance follows IC 36-5-6-6 and aims to clarify committee coverage by the Clerk Treasurer’s office. Members discussed electronic attendance for committee members; Griffin said equipment had been ordered and the town attorney will prepare the final language to add an option for attendance either physically or electronically in the code.

Council voted to suspend the rules to allow second reading and final adoption the same night and then approved the ordinance by roll call (six in favor). Griffin thanked the Clerk Treasurer and staff for their assistance implementing the ordinance language.

The ordinance will be codified and staff was tasked with ensuring consistent language and electronic meeting capability before fully transitioning committee processes to the new code provisions.