Votes at a glance: council approves lifeguard funding, airport match and Gleeson Park driving range

The Gary Common Council approved three budget‑related ordinances on April 21 by unanimous votes.

CPO 2026-13 revised the 2026 Casino Operating Fund to appropriate funds for summer lifeguards, citing 19 lifeguard positions. Controller Shanika Beck said a balance of $127,241 remained in the summer youth fund and that an additional amount would come from the casino fund; the transcript shows the additional figure in a format that was not clearly transcribed (presented in the record as "$129.06 $0.06"). The council adopted an amendment by substitution, then passed the ordinance on a 9–0 roll call.

CPO 2026-14 appropriated $500,000 from the investment interest fund as an economic development match to support the Gary Chicago Airport and about $200,000 for other, unspecified projects or unanticipated expenses. Council members asked whether the city would keep a baseline guardrail for the investment fund; Controller Beck said investments and guardrails are being reviewed and that the city holds multiple investment accounts. The ordinance passed 9–0.

CPO 2026-15 approved the 2026 Gleeson Park budget, including funds to develop a driving range estimated in the presentation at $173,000. The council heard that $23,968 was already in the Gleeson Park Fund and $149,032 would come from the county economic development income tax (CEDIT). The ordinance passed by roll call vote of 9–0.

All three ordinances were discussed with brief Q&A and then approved on the night of April 21. Council also scheduled a planning and development committee meeting for April 28 to continue a city planning presentation and adjusted upcoming meeting dates.