Hammond council adopts 2026 city budget, approves raises and related funds
Loading...
Summary
The Hammond City Council on Oct. 28 adopted the cityand related 2026 budgets, approved across-the-board pay adjustments and several related ordinances; one councilmember recorded the only no vote on the city budget. A statutory objection to the city budget was entered into the record.
The Hammond City Council adopted the City of Hammond2026 budget on Oct. 28 and approved multiple related fiscal ordinances, voting 8-1 on the city budget and unanimously on other measures.
Councilman Rakos moved final passage of Ordinance 25-23, the citybudget sponsored by Mayor McDermott; Councilwoman Venez seconded. Clerk Gulick asked that an objection filed under Indiana Code 6-1.1-17-5 be entered into the record before the vote. The council approved the budget 8 in favor, 1 opposed.
The meeting also cleared a series of related budgets on final passage: Ordinance 25-24 (Hammond redevelopment budget) and Ordinance 25-25 (Hammond Sanitary District budgets) each passed by roll call 9-0. Councilmembers then approved Ordinance 25-26 (general raises) and Ordinance 25-27 (police and fire salaries). Mayor McDermott said most nonunion employees will receive a 2% increase while the police negotiated a 3.5% raise under contract; the council approved the salary measures unanimously.
Councilwoman Venez moved approval of claims dated Oct. 8 to Oct. 22 totaling $7,801,651.25; the motion passed by roll call 9-0.
Why it matters: The cityand related budgets set spending priorities for 2026 and fund operations across departments, including sewer and redevelopment programs. The recorded objection under state statute will be included in the budget minutes as requested by the clerk.
What happens next: The ordinances take effect as provided in their text and the council will proceed with committee work and implementation steps described by administration.
