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Fort Wayne council approves economic development contract, parks equipment purchase and AFIS maintenance; amends meeting rules
Summary
The council voted Feb. 10 to approve a $300,000 economic development services agreement with the Fort Wayne‑Allen County Economic Alliance (7–1), a $112,500 parks equipment purchase (8–0), a $120,000 annual AFIS maintenance contract (8–0), and passed an amended ordinance changing public comment timing and agenda language (as amended, final passage 8–0).
The Fort Wayne Common Council on Feb. 10 approved a series of procurement and policy items and amended city meeting rules intended to change when members of the public may speak during council business.
In finance committee business, the council approved S260128, a 2026 agreement with the Fort Wayne‑Allen County Economic Alliance (also called GFW) for economic development services at a total cost of $300,000. Andrea Robinson of Community Development and John Urbonds of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. described GFW’s role in marketing, project coordination and small‑business support. The clerk recorded a final tally of 7 in favor and 1 opposed on S260128.
The council also approved S260129, a $112,500 sole‑source purchase order with Kenny Machinery Corporation for Toro commercial equipment parts used by Parks & Recreation. Travis Roth of Parks and Recreation explained that Kenny Machinery is the designated distributor in Indiana; the vote passed unanimously, 8–0.
S260130, a $120,000 annual maintenance contract for the Fort Wayne Police Department’s automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) with NEC Corporation of America, was presented by Katrice Whitlow (for the police lab) as year four of a five‑year contract. Council members confirmed the item was included in the budget and voted to advance the contract with an 8–0 tally.
On meeting procedure, Council President Marty Bender introduced G26133 to amend Chapter 32 of the municipal code to adjust committee flow and the timing of public comment. Bender proposed an amendment to place open mic public comment at the conclusion of committee sessions so the public’s remarks would occur before final votes; Councilwoman Booker offered amendments that would remove language granting the council president unilateral authority to modify the agenda. The council—after debate over checks and balances versus efficiency—passed the Bender amendment in committee and later passed Booker’s amendment; the amended ordinance then passed on final reading with an 8–0 vote.
Votes at a glance: - S260128 (economic development agreement, $300,000): Passed, 7 aye, 1 nay. - S260129 (Kenny Machinery parts, $112,500): Passed, 8–0. - S260130 (AFIS maintenance, $120,000): Passed, 8–0. - G26133 (amend Chapter 32, meeting rules): Amended in committee (Bender and Booker amendments passed in committee) and passed final passage as amended, 8–0.
Why it matters: The economic development contract continues a public‑private partnership for marketing and project coordination that council members said helps retain and attract jobs. The parks purchase ensures seasonal maintenance and snow‑removal readiness; the AFIS maintenance contract keeps a law enforcement identification system online. The meeting‑rules amendment changes how and when the public can comment in relation to committee and final votes and includes new guardrails on agenda changes, an item council members framed as strengthening transparency and checks and balances.
What’s next: Introductions were made for additional Board of Public Works professional services agreements for electrical master planning and for several purchasing items; those will move through the committee and regular session process. The council did not specify funding or locations for a proposed low‑barrier shelter at this meeting.
