Kelly White Gibson

Merrillville is honoring its outgoing elected officials. Clerk-Treasurer Kelly White Gibson and council members Richard Hardaway, Jeff Minchuk and Leonard White were all recognized during Tuesday's council meeting.

The town of Merrillville plans to dip into its American Rescue Plan money to help balance the 2023 budget. The town council last week adopted a budget of just over $46.5 million dollars, a reduction of about $1.1 million from the initial proposal.

An ongoing dispute between the Merrillville clerk-treasurer and the town council means some town employees will have to wait longer for a pay raise. Clerk-Treasurer Kelly White Gibson says she's decided to forgo a pay raise the council approved for her, so her employees could get raises, instead.