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Council to pursue riverfront grant studies as members debate divesting cemetery
Summary
A council member urged pursuing two riverfront grants (a sediment analysis/dredge precursor and a shoreline feasibility study) and sought council approval to write proposals; the same meeting included heated discussion about whether the city should divest Attica Cemetery to reduce costs ahead of phased state tax changes.
At the Nov. 10 meeting council members discussed pursuing two grant opportunities for the Wabash riverfront and engaged in an extended debate about the future of the Attica Cemetery amid looming state fiscal changes.
A council member outlined two grant opportunities: a roughly $1,015,000 sediment-analysis/dredging precursor and a roughly $35,000 shoreline feasibility study, both presented as precursors to multi-year shoreline stabilization and dredging work. He said studies would occur in 2026 and that larger physical work would be projected for 2027 if grants and follow-on funding are secured. He asked the council’s permission to proceed with proposal writing and described coordination options with the Department of Natural Resources, the Army Corps of Engineers and local partners.
Planning and public-works staff noted a potential small local match on one grant (discussed roughly as $1,200 for a sediment analysis) and that holding a public hearing could be counted as local contribution in some programs.
During the same discussion a council member urged the city to consider divesting Attica Cemetery as a way to reduce municipal costs in light of state legislation being phased in that will limit property‑tax growth and remove local income tax revenue for some uses. The council was told by staff that the state change (SEA/SB 1) is being phased in over four years and could reduce the city’s revenue by about $1 million from a $2 million budget if fully realized. The divestment proposal prompted pushback from other members and a local funeral-industry representative, who warned that privatizing cemetery operations can increase burial costs and reduce maintenance standards.
Council members agreed to explore alternatives and to ask township trustees and other stakeholders for information on options and costs; no formal action to divest the cemetery was taken at the meeting.
The council also discussed a conceptual master‑plan connection to the riverfront and potential to relegate some park management to a partner organization if larger riverfront redevelopment moves forward. Council asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates and grant‑application materials at a future meeting.
