Votes at a glance: Muncie council approves funding for community center, subdivision tree rules, police pay and two resolutions

MUNCIE — The Muncie City Common Council took a series of budgetary and regulatory actions at its February meeting, recording roll-call votes on several ordinances and resolutions.

What passed

- Ordinance 1-26 (additional appropriations / community center): The council moved to adopt the measure funding elements for community-center planning; Mayor Dan Ridenour told the council that the "TBD" line reflected pending committee names now resolved (SEG 1994–2012). Roll call was taken and the ordinance proceeded with affirmative votes recorded.

- Ordinance 2-26 (subdivision regulations — tree requirements): The Planning Commission presented the amendment requiring preservation of natural features and a minimum planting standard (one shade tree per front yard, minimum 2-inch diameter at 48 inches above grade). The council approved the ordinance on a roll call (SEG 2692–2718; roll call recorded SEG 2725–2744).

- Ordinance 4-26 (police salaries): The council adopted salary maximums for members of the Muncie Police Department for 2026 after a staff representative said the city must remain competitive with nearby jurisdictions. A roll call recorded affirmative votes, and city staff said funds were available (SEG 4870–4896).

- Resolution 1-26 (2025 zoning map updates) and Resolution 2-26 (collective bargaining agreement with Police Lodge #87): Both resolutions were put to roll-call votes and recorded as adopted; police negotiators and council members noted reciprocal concessions and a 4% raise figure mentioned in public Q&A on the police contract (SEG 4912–5019).

What remains contested

Ordinance 3-26, which would reorganize section 32.39 of the city code (procedures for filing ordinances and resolutions), generated extended debate and several amendment votes. A proposed amendment to require the city controller to sign filing documents was hotly contested; residents and some council members warned it could create executive influence over legislative filings, while supporters argued it would add financial oversight. Multiple roll calls and procedural challenges are recorded in the transcript; the transcript segments provided do not unambiguously record the final disposition in lay terms.

Appointments

- Nominees for the EDIT Building board (Danielle Castle and Judith Hill) were presented and votes taken; roll-call recording shows votes for Danielle Castle and references to approval for other nominees (SEG 1836–1872). The city clerk read the names before voting.

Numbers to know

- Police contract: council and police negotiator cited concessions and an approximate 4% salary increase (public question recorded, SEG 4990–4994). - Community center: transcript references a $500,000 commitment toward the community center in public discussion (SEG 2128–2136).

Next steps

Council members and staff said they would follow up with committee work on the community center, implement contract changes with human resources and payroll, and clarify procedural filings and clerk involvement where amendments were proposed. Several public speakers urged the council to delay any final rule changes until the public has had time to review the text and comment.