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Gary council approves multiple budget and infrastructure ordinances in unanimous votes
Summary
The Gary Common Council on April 7 unanimously approved several ordinances and appropriations, including a grant for drug-court testing supplies and infrastructure funding for street resurfacing, sidewalks and traffic signals. The council also moved a May meeting date and scheduled committee hearings on a proposed unified development ordinance.
The Gary Common Council unanimously approved a batch of budget and appropriations measures on April 7, passing several ordinances by roll-call votes and scheduling committee and public hearings on major items.
The council approved a grant to supply reagents and testing supplies for the city’s drug court chemical analyzer, recorded as CPO 2026‑10. That ordinance passed by roll call 9–0. The council also approved CPO 2026‑11, a transfer of $80,000 from consolidated operations to the City Council budget for professional services and equipment; Council President Linda Barnes Cwell moved for passage and the measure passed 9–0.
Council members also adopted CPO 2026‑12, a package of infrastructure appropriations that funds resurfacing under the Community Crossings program, sidewalk replacement, traffic‑signal improvements, maintenance of street lights and limited environmental work. Members asked staff how priority streets will be selected; staff said an uploaded asset‑management map and annual updates will be used to set priorities. The ordinance passed by roll call 9–0.
On procedure and scheduling, councilors set second‑reading committee hearings for CPO 2026‑13 (casino operating fund revision to appropriate funds for summer lifeguards), CPO 2026‑14 (additional appropriations for the investment interest fund) and CPO 2026‑15 (Gleason Park budget). The large draft for CPO 2026‑16, a proposed unified development ordinance (amendments to chapters 103, 107, 121 and 123 of the municipal code), was sent to the Planning & Development committee with a public hearing scheduled for May 6; members noted the packet exceeded 200 pages and may require multiple committee meetings.
The council also approved a motion to move the regular May meeting from Tuesday, May 5, to Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m., by a 9–0 vote.
Votes at a glance: - CPO 2026‑10 (drug‑court testing reagents): Passed 9–0 (roll call). Related discussion: overview of grant use for reagents and rapid cups for drug‑court testing. - CPO 2026‑11 ($80,000 transfer to City Council professional services/equipment): Passed 9–0 (roll call). Sponsor: Linda Barnes Cwell. - CPO 2026‑12 (infrastructure appropriations: resurfacing, sidewalks, signals, lights, limited environmental work): Passed 9–0 (roll call). Staff described Community Crossings resurfacing and sidewalk/concrete replacement elements; council asked about asset‑management and public reporting. - CPO 2026‑13, 2026‑14, 2026‑15: Set for second reading and committee hearings (dates set; committee/public hearing scheduling recorded). CPO 2026‑16: Sent to Planning & Development committee for further review and public hearing on May 6.
The council adjourned after setting committee schedules and taking several community announcements.
Next steps: CPO 2026‑13 through 2026‑15 proceed to committee hearings; CPO 2026‑16 will be reviewed by Planning & Development with at least one public hearing scheduled.
