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Merrillville council reassigns $305,000 in bond premium to Town Hall repairs, approves same‑night final reading
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Summary
The Merrillville Town Council voted April 28 to approve Ordinance 26‑03, authorizing a $305,000 additional appropriation for Town Hall building repairs funded by bond premium proceeds; the council suspended the rules to adopt the ordinance on the same night.
The Merrillville Town Council on April 28 approved Ordinance 26‑03, authorizing an additional appropriation of $305,000 to the corporate capital fund to pay for repairs and upgrades at Town Hall, including audiovisual improvements, exterior masonry and painting, security upgrades and related work.
Town Manager Michael Griffin told the council the money comes from bond premium proceeds generated when the town sold a $5,000,000 bond issue. “We actually took in net after paying him $393,968 on top of the 5,000,000,” Griffin said, explaining the budgetary source for the request and asking the council to consider first reading and suspension of the rules so contracts can proceed. He added that contracts exceeding $15,000 would return to the council for approval.
The council moved, seconded and approved Ordinance 26‑03 on first reading, voted to suspend the rules to consider second reading the same evening, and adopted the ordinance on second reading; the motion carried in each roll call/voice vote that followed. President Bello led the procedural motions and roll calls.
The ordinance specifies the appropriation amount ($305,000) and lists intended uses including AV upgrades, exterior tuckpointing, metal panel repairs and masonry block repair. Griffin said the premium made the additional work feasible without drawing on operating reserves.
What happens next: Griffin said staff will solicit and return with contracts for items over the council’s $15,000 approval threshold. The council directed administrative follow‑up to bring any individual contracts above that threshold to a future council meeting for formal approval.
The council took the final vote the same evening and adjourned after routine announcements.
