Anticipating a bigger workload, the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority adopted a 2018 budget that includes adding an accountant to its staff this year.
The RDA board approved the $1.6 million budget unanimously, without comment, at its meeting Thursday.
The accountant’s position would have a salary around $90,000, consultant William Sheldrake said. The RDA now has a five-member staff. The budget for salaries and benefits in 2018 is about 16 percent, or $112,791, more than was spent in 2017.
Activity in the RDA office could pick up soon if the federal government approves funding for the South Shore Line’s two major projects – the West Lake extension from Hammond to Dyer, and an additional set of rails between Gary and Michigan City.
Bill Hanna, the RDA’s president and CEO, said the U.S. Department of Transportation could indicate next week, when it’s expected to deliver its budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, whether it recommends paying half the $977 million cost of both projects. Congress would still have to decide whether and how much to budget for those.
The RDA is heavily involved in local support for the West Lake and double-track projects, and last year the Indiana General Assembly authorized it to set up transit development districts around new and existing South Shore stations.
All that adds “a lot more daily financial responsibilities” on the RDA, Hanna said. Until now, it has retained outside bookkeeping firms for its accounting.
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Also Thursday, the RDA board accepted grant requests from East Chicago and Hammond. The RDA staff will review the requests and make recommendations at the next board meeting.
East Chicago is asking for $8,545,000 for the final phase of its multi-year waterfront and economic development projects. The money would be used for reconstructing Guthrie Street and creating a more retail and residential spaces along Main Street. Previous RDA-funded phases included improvements to Jeorse Park, the lakefront, the East Chicago marina, and the North Harbor area.
Milton Reed, East Chicago’s representative on the RDA board, said the projects have created “true revitalization,” and more people are enjoying the beach.
Hammond is asking for $100,000 to help clear out the area around the proposed Gateway station in North Hammond, which would be a connection between the existing South Shore Line and the West Lake extension.
Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.