Budget

"Even though this is a challenging time, even though we're negotiating big contracts, I'm encouraged because it seems like our property taxes are picking up, our assessed value's picking up, and that's a healthy thing for our economy," Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. told council members.

"It seems to me like we only have part of the picture right now, with the information given to us, but our job is to see where taxpayer funds are going and make sure that they're needed," council member Emilie Hunt said during Monday's meeting.

The public hearing on Portage's 2025 budget quickly turned into a discussion about stray cats. The proposed budget includes a line item for a trap, neuter, release program.

The Munster Town Council has adopted a $70 million budget for 2025. That includes an $11 million general fund, a $3.4 million park and recreation fund, and a $2.6 million motor vehicle highway fund.

NIPSCO discusses how customers who qualify can apply income-eligible assistance. Northwest Indiana financial advisor Greg Hammer joins us to discuss money lessons for kids this holiday season. Indiana lawmakers will return to the Statehouse January 8, 2024 for the short, non-budget legislative session and education is among the top priorities. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch is with us to talk about the upcoming session, mental health and wellness during the holidays.

Indiana property tax caps are posing challenges to the Gary Community School Corporation's 2024 budget. Manager Dr. Michael Raisor adopted a budget totaling more than $74 million Monday. It includes an education fund of about $32.5 million and a referendum fund of about $10.3 million.

The town of Merrillville is working to make sure its needs are met with the money it'll have available next year. The town council adopted the 2024 budget Tuesday. It totals just over $45.4 million, having been cut by almost $2 million from the initial proposal.

The Hammond School Board approved the district's 2024 budget Tuesday, but where to cut spending remains a topic of debate.

The town of Schererville expects its property tax rate to remain about the same, under the 2024 budget. Like many local governments, the town aimed slightly high with its budget proposal, with the expectation that the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance will trim the final version.

The School City of Hammond is bracing for more financial struggles, as it puts together its 2024 budget. Cash reserves have dropped from $13 million in early 2022 to just over $3 million this summer, with the operations fund taking the biggest hit.