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Council approves four additional appropriations for salt, Feder's Alley playground, radios and police vehicles
Summary
On April 7 the council unanimously approved four additional appropriations (posted on Gateway) covering purchases of road salt, construction of a destination playground in Feder's Alley, radios for police/fire, and police vehicles/lease buyouts. Sponsors said early salt purchase secures a lower price; total appropriation amounts were not fully detailed on the floor.
The Michigan City Common Council on April 7 approved four additional appropriation ordinances — all on first, second and third readings under a council suspension of rules — related to public works, parks and public safety.
The appropriations, advertised on the Indiana Gateway transparency portal as required by state law, were: (1) a general‑fund appropriation to purchase road salt for the street department; (2) a riverboat‑fund appropriation to construct a destination playground in Feder's Alley; (3) a riverboat‑fund appropriation to purchase radios for the police and fire departments; and (4) a riverboat‑fund appropriation to purchase vehicles and buy out lease vehicles for the Michigan City Police Department.
Council members stressed process and timing. "The reason why we're buying $300,000 worth of salt in April is because we're getting a deal on it because we're partnering with the state and getting that salt a lot cheaper," Councilman Beatatri said, describing a cost‑saving opportunity that motivated the early purchase. Other speakers noted the Gateway posting gives residents extra opportunity to review the appropriations.
Public commenters raised concerns about prioritization (examples included park improvements and demolition costs associated with a fountain) and asked that items continue to be explained in detail. Sponsors and the controller said the Gateway posting complies with the new DLGF requirement (IC 6‑1.1‑18‑5) that additional appropriations be posted at least 14 days before a hearing and made available on budgetnotices.in.gov.
All four appropriations passed by unanimous roll‑call votes.
Votes at a glance: - Road‑salt purchase (general fund): approved unanimously. - Destination playground in Feder's Alley (riverboat fund): approved unanimously. - Radios for police and fire (riverboat fund): approved unanimously. - Police vehicles / lease buyouts (riverboat fund): approved unanimously.
Next steps: Controller’s office to proceed with the orders/payments as authorized and to reflect appropriations in the next budget tracking reports.
