The Michigan City Common Council Finance Committee on Sept. 2 announced a timeline for the 2026 municipal budget process, beginning with a budget presentation on Sept. 11 and running through a possible third reading on Oct. 21.
Committee president Tracy Tillman outlined the schedule, saying the budget presentation will be held Sept. 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the EOC Room. The first reading with the mayor and public handouts was scheduled for Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the ELC Room; a council public workshop with departments and the finance committee was set for Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. (with a tentative follow-up on Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m.). A mayoral budget workshop follow-up was listed for Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the ELC Room, followed by a second reading and public hearing on Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. and a third reading, if necessary, on Oct. 21.
Why it matters: the timetable establishes opportunities for departmental presentations, council review and public comment ahead of final budget action.
The committee said the schedule is subject to additional meetings if needed. No formal vote was recorded on the schedule; the announcement came during committee comments. The meeting then moved to adjournment.
Discussion versus decision: the schedule was presented as the finance committee’s timeline for hearings and workshops; no ordinance or budget adoption occurred at this meeting.
The committee encouraged public attendance at the listed sessions; locations for most events were listed as the ELC Room or EOC Room at city facilities. No additional details about agenda items or departmental line-item changes were provided at the Sept. 2 meeting.