Merrillville redevelopment bodies reelect officers and approve London Witte engagement

The Town of Merrillville’s redevelopment bodies held officer elections and approved a financial-adviser engagement during a pair of meetings on Feb. 10, 2026.

In the Redevelopment Commission meeting, commissioners retained existing leadership. Commissioner Uzalak moved to retain himself as commission president; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Leona Chandler Felton was nominated and retained as vice president, and Keisha Hardaway was nominated and retained as secretary.

Commissioners agreed to take oaths of office as a group. Staff and clerk-treasurer personnel administered the oath, with commissioners reciting support for the U.S. and Indiana constitutions and the town’s rules. There was some discussion about certificate paperwork and whether formal certification should be completed at a later meeting.

The commission also considered and approved an engagement letter with London Witte, the commission’s long-standing financial adviser. Staff advised the engagement was allowable under Indiana law and recommended approval. Commissioner Uzalak moved to approve the engagement letter; the motion passed by voice vote.

Shortly after, the Redevelopment Authority convened separately and retained Sean Pettit as president, Marge Uzelac as vice president, and Rhonda Neill as secretary/treasurer. Members discussed the authority’s limited day-to-day activity (collection of lease or bond payments and remittance of bond obligations) and the State Board of Accounts requirement to file an annual redevelopment authority report; staff said they coordinate those filings with the clerk-treasurer’s office. The authority postponed any appointment of an assistant secretary/treasurer pending follow-up with an absent staff member, Michael.

Both bodies completed their business and adjourned later in the evening.