The Gary Common Council heard public comment about several city budget items at its Tuesday night meeting, but members unanimously voted to table all ordinances.
All eight council members were present at one time, but Councilman Dwight Williams, D-6th, was late and missed two budget votes, and Vice President Darren Washington, D-at large, left early and missed three budget votes. Councilwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd, died Monday, according to an announcement from the council.
The council heard an overview of budgets for the Gary Redevelopment Commission, Gary Public Transportation Corporation and Gary/Chicago International Airport before public comment and voting to table. The public could also comment on city salaries and general budget.
According to Indiana Gateway for Government Units, local governments must approve next year’s budgets by Nov. 1. Governments must hold a public hearing and then wait 10 days before holding an adoption meeting, which formally adopts the budget, property tax levy and property tax rate.
The Gary council attempted to vote on several budget ordinances in September before being told they must hold a public hearing, according to Post-Tribune archives.
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Redevelopment Executive Director Christopher Harris presented the proposed department budget Tuesday, saying it’s identical to its 2026 numbers.
The commission’s proposed tax base has decreased going into 2027, with just under $69,000 expected to rollover, down from about $138,000 in 2026. However, the commission’s property tax revenues have increased from $175,885 in 2026 to $184,421 in 2027. Harris’ salary will stay the same, he said.
Several residents spoke about the redevelopment budget, including Jim Nowacki, one of the city’s largest landowners, who said he’s seen very little redevelopment in the city.
“Unless you count demolition because they are the Gary Demolition Commission in everything other than the name,” Nowacki said. “Every time we get a new administration, the first few words out of their mouth are, ‘We need to tear down more buildings.’”
Nowacki said he wants to see more development in the city if the administration is focused on demolition. He also believes that city leadership have been focused on demolition rather than development for decades.
Sylinda Harris, another Gary resident, said during public comment that the community should be proud of the demolition, adding that it’s safer for residents.
“This stuff needs to come down, and that’s my opinion, and my opinion only,” Sylinda Harris said. “… The reality of it is we need to move on and do better.”
David Wright, director of planning, marketing and grants for the Gary Public Transportation Corporation, presented the department’s budget Tuesday. The GPTC proposed budget is about $18.3 million, which Wright said is mostly made of federal grants.
The GPTC received a $13 million grant, Wright said, which allows them to upgrade their facilities and vehicles.
“So, 75% of our revenue comes from grants, particularly federal grants, and most of that is going to our salaries and our operating expenses,” he said. “But the increase between 2026 and 2027 comes from those capital expenses that will allow us to maintain our service by becoming more reliable, as well as increase our services, not just in Gary but to connect with other communities as well.”
The department’s estimated maximum levy is $4,553,821, according to council documents, which is a 6.05% increase from its current levy of $4,294,116.
Nowacki also spoke about the GPTC budget, saying the department is doing a sensational job.
“I can’t emphasize how important GPTC is to residents of Gary,” he said. “There are people whose lives depend on GPTC to get them places where they can get some food, to get to doctors’ appointments, to get them to church, to get them to see their families.”
Dan Vicari, executive director of the Gary/Chicago International Airport, presented his budget Tuesday. The airport’s proposed budget is about $5.4 million, Vicari said, with a $2,769,662 estimated maximum levy, up from its current $2,510,738 levy.
Vicari also said the Griffith-Merrillville Airport, which the Gary airport owns, had a $202,000 operating income last year and its expenses were $159,000. The Griffith-Merrillville Airport’s estimated budget is $162,500, according to council documents.
Several residents were critical of the Griffith-Merrillville Airport Tuesday night, saying they don’t know how it benefits the city. The smaller airport can accept smaller planes, which Vicari said is becoming more important as the Gary airport sees larger jets coming.
Councilman Kenneth Whisenton, D-at large, told residents that he’s heard the criticism of the airport, but he said they need to think about how the city can use the airport to continue to grow.
“You have all these people that are coming to Gary and you see what is taking place in regards to large-scale commerce, then that’s how we invest our money,” Whisenton said. “We need to think about how we can utilize the airport in the same way the Gary airport utilized the Griffith airport for their needs.”