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3 weeks ago

Superintendent updates board on $4M cultural corridor and Better’s Alley fundraising; accessibility assurance approved Superintendent reported participation in a $4,000,000 cultural corridor planning grant and said council and partners have pledged funds toward Better’s Alley, leaving a $428,000 gap; the board approved required accessibility assurances for the department’s five‑year master plan.

Michigan City is on the verge of transforming its parks and accessibility with a $4M cultural corridor and exciting new projects, but a $428,000 funding gap looms over Better’s Alley!

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3 weeks ago

Workshop highlights new drone, cybersecurity, genealogy and pill‑drop policies Michigan City presenters described new or expanded policies covering drones and COA oversight, cybersecurity/CJIS data protections, forensic genetic genealogy, pill‑drop boxes and cash handling for a multijurisdictional drug task force.

Michigan City's latest workshop unveiled groundbreaking policies on drones, cybersecurity, and innovative investigative tools that could reshape law enforcement practices.

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3 weeks ago

Michigan City workshop: police policy manual revised after new state Brady disclosure requirement Michigan City officials reviewed broad updates to the police department policy manual, citing an April 2025 Indiana law that prompted a new Brady/Giglio disclosure policy and changes to personnel-file retention and internal‑investigation procedures.

Michigan City officials are overhauling police policies in response to a new state law, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in officer records and investigations.

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3 months ago

Michigan City RDC opens 2026 with officer elections; public commenters press for faster development At its first 2026 meeting the Redevelopment Commission elected Sheila Matias president, heard public pleas to accelerate development of the former Sola and You Are Beautiful sites, and set a follow‑up schedule for staff to pursue project approvals.

Michigan City's Redevelopment Commission kicks off 2026 with new leadership and urgent calls for faster development of key sites!

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3 months ago

Votes at a glance: Michigan City RDC approves TIF pledge, multiple change orders and routine financial actions At its Jan. 12 meeting the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission elected officers, approved minutes and claims, pledged $2 million in TIF to Tailwinds, approved wetland consulting, several change orders, and authorized predevelopment and professional services funding. Most measures passed unanimously.

The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission just made big moves by pledging $2 million in TIF funds and electing new leadership—what's next for the community?

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3 months ago

Michigan City planning staff previews ordinance to ease infill rules; residents and builders urge allowance for tiny homes Planning staff presented a proposal to expand a Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance that would let builders average setbacks and allow smaller homes in older R1D neighborhoods; commissioners asked procedural and technical questions and the commission heard public comments both urging and warning about minimum‑size limits. No formal recommendation to City Council was made; the commission approved routine agenda items and set 2026 meeting dates.

Michigan City is considering a new Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance that could reshape historic neighborhoods by allowing smaller homes and flexible building setbacks—what does this mean for the community?

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3 months ago

Michigan City backs up to $60.5 million in waterworks revenue bonds to fund mains, upgrades Council voted 9-0 to support the Department of Waterworks in pursuing up to $60,500,000 in revenue bonds and an IURC rate case to finance capital projects and main replacements; officials said the work is not for the new data center and will be phased to soften rate impacts.

Michigan City is set to invest over $60 million in vital water infrastructure upgrades to ensure clean and reliable water, but concerns about phased rate increases are raising eyebrows among residents.

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3 months ago

Michigan City council approves 2% raises for police and fire after tense public hearings After extended public comment and a contentious exchange over retiree-health contributions and bargaining process, the Michigan City Common Council approved a 2% salary increase for fire and police for 2026 and amended the fire ordinance to isolate the raise from other contract changes.

After weeks of public outcry and disputes, the Michigan City Common Council has approved a 2% salary increase for fire and police departments, but tensions over retiree health insurance and contract negotiations still simmer.

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3 months ago

Michigan City workshop convenes service providers, police and nonprofits to coordinate homelessness response City leaders, police and nonprofit providers met Dec. 11 in a Michigan City Common Council workshop to review service capacity, enforcement limits and funding options; officials said they will form a coordinating committee and pursue federal and local grant support.

Michigan City is taking bold steps to tackle homelessness by uniting city officials, police, and local service providers to create a comprehensive action plan.

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3 months ago

Michigan City commission authorizes executive director to end waterfront development agreement after developer fails to show full funding After years of negotiations, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission unanimously authorized Executive Director Skyler York to notify the developers that the commission will conclude the exclusive redevelopment agreement for the waterfront 'solo/solar' site on Dec. 31, 2025, unless closing occurs before then.

The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission is set to terminate its exclusive agreement with developers for a prime waterfront project due to funding failures, paving the way for new opportunities.

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4 months ago

Mayor’s office outlines outreach, shelter and grants as part of homelessness strategy Kelly Smith, chief administrator in the mayor’s office, reviewed city efforts to address homelessness including ARPA‑funded emergency sheltering, a proposed street team, reconnection strategies and grant awards for opioid response.

The mayor’s office is taking bold steps to tackle homelessness with innovative outreach strategies and emergency shelters, but is it enough to turn the tide?

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4 months ago

Council approves overtime appropriations amid tense police and fire contract talks The council approved multiple additional appropriations to cover police and fire overtime and remaining salaries, while union speakers criticized limited bargaining time and council members cited lost LIT funding that constrains offers.

Tensions rise in Michigan City as the Common Council approves overtime funding for police and fire, while union members demand better contract negotiations and express concerns over lost funding.

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4 months ago

Michigan City Waterworks seeks bond authority, outlines phased rate increases Superintendent Christopher Johnson told the Common Council the Waterworks Board plans to file a rate case and issue bonds to fund roughly $50 million in water system projects; Johnson proposed phased customer bill increases that would raise an average residential monthly water-only bill from $23.09 today to $39.20 by 2029.

Michigan City Waterworks is planning a significant overhaul of its water system, which could see residential bills rising from $23.09 to $39.20 by 2029!

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4 months ago

Michigan City proposes phased bond plan, three-year rate increases to fund aging water system At a Dec. 2 Michigan City Common Council workshop, Waterworks Superintendent Chris Johnson outlined a multi-phase bonding plan and an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission filing to fund distribution, treatment and mains work; staff proposed phased residential increases totaling $16.11 over 2027–29 and said an IURC decision could take 9–12 months.

Michigan City is set to implement a phased bond plan and rate increases to upgrade its aging water system, with potential impacts on bills and water quality looming ahead.

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4 months ago

Michigan City Water Works Board adopts declaratory resolution for up to $60.5 million in revenue bonds, schedules Dec. 9 hearing The board adopted Declaratory Resolution No. 2025‑02 to approve projects and seek revenue bonding not to exceed $60.5 million, and set a public hearing for Dec. 9, 2025, with a confirmatory bond ordinance to follow.

The Michigan City Water Works Board is paving the way for major improvements with a proposed $60.5 million revenue bond—are you ready to learn what’s in store?

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4 months ago

Michigan City water superintendent outlines roughly $50.5 million bond plan and three‑year rate increase At a Dec. 2 Michigan City Common Council workshop, Water Works Superintendent Chris Johnson presented a two‑phase $50.5 million bonding plan to replace aging mains, add a booster station and fund treatment and distribution projects; he said the utility will seek Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approval and proposed phased residential increases totaling $16.11 over 2027–29.

Michigan City plans a crucial $50.5 million bond to upgrade its aging water system, aiming to tackle main breaks and improve water quality after years without rate hikes.

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4 months ago

Michigan City board approves two‑year AFSCME contract covering street, vector and clerical staff The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved a two‑year AFSCME contract that covers street crews, certain clerical positions and the vector department; the agreement includes a 2% raise, holiday adjustments, and a 50/50 retiree insurance cost split for qualifying long‑service retirees.

The Michigan City Board just approved a groundbreaking two-year contract for AFSCME, featuring a 2% raise and key benefits for street and clerical staff!

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4 months ago

Michigan City parks board hears zoo upgrades, $20 million regional grant and rising animal care costs Director Jamie Huss outlined fence and exhibit upgrades, donor support and ongoing operating pressures at the Michigan City zoo; Superintendent Eason said the city is slated to receive roughly $4 million of a $20 million Lilly Foundation award for a cultural corridor project.

Michigan City Zoo is undergoing exciting upgrades thanks to generous donations and a massive $20 million grant, but rising animal care costs pose a challenge!

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4 months ago

Michigan City council hears first readings on nearly $960,000 in additional appropriations for overtime, utilities and medical claims Council held first readings on multiple ordinances to appropriate roughly $960,000 from general and special funds to cover police and fire overtime, utilities (NIPSCO) bills, medical claims and personnel salaries; public hearings set for Dec. 2.

Michigan City Common Council is facing a $960,000 budget dilemma to cover rising overtime, medical claims, and utility costs—what's next for the city's finances?

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4 months ago

Residents press council on crime, data-center dispute and development priorities during public comment Public comment focused on rising violent incidents, police overtime, an ongoing dispute tied to a private data-center site and concerns about development favoring out-of-town interests; callers urged more services for children and reviewed budget and oversight questions.

Residents are sounding the alarm over escalating crime and development issues in Michigan City, demanding urgent action from the Common Council.

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4 months ago

Michigan City approves term sheet to support Tailwinds Business Park with up to $2 million loan The Redevelopment Commission approved a term sheet Nov. 17 to support the Tailwinds Business Park on about 14.25 acres south of the AMC theater; staff said $2 million is available as a forgivable loan and developers said the $30 million private project would include a public roadway and up to 11 flex buildings.

Michigan City just approved a $2 million investment to pave the way for the Tailwinds Business Park, promising hundreds of jobs and a major boost to the local economy!

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5 months ago

City controller reports clean audit as council hears warnings about shrinking riverboat and LIT funds City Controller Mary Lynn Wall reported a clean financial audit and federal compliance audit with corrective action plans. Council members and staff said declining riverboat revenue and the sunset of county LIT funds have tightened the citys budget and complicated labor negotiations for police and fire.

City Controller Mary Lynn Wall announced a clean audit, but looming revenue losses from declining riverboat funds and the sunset of local income tax could complicate the city's budget and labor negotiations.

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5 months ago

Council amends revolving‑loan rules, allocates $400,000 to EDC and $300,000 to destination playground After a contentious debate, the Common Council approved an amendment moving funds from the citys Revolving Loan Fund to support Economic Development Corporation operations and a proposed destination, all‑inclusive playground, with two members opposing the measure.

Michigan City's Common Council just made a bold move, reallocating $700,000 from the revolving-loan fund to boost local development and create an all-inclusive playground, sparking both excitement and controversy!

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5 months ago

Michigan City council adopts resolution opposing mid‑decade congressional redistricting The Common Council passed a resolution opposing any mid‑decade redraw of Indianas congressional districts, citing constitutional and representative‑democracy concerns; the measure passed unanimously.

Michigan City's Common Council just made a bold move, unanimously opposing mid-decade redistricting that could jeopardize fair representation and public trust!

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5 months ago

Baker Tilly presents TIF annual report; commission defers 2026 spending plan Baker Tilly presented an annual TIF report showing healthy near-term TIF revenues but expected expirations beginning in 2029; the commission accepted the presentation and deferred adoption of the 2026 TIF spending plan to allow members to review full documents before a Dec. 1 gateway upload.

Baker Tilly's latest TIF report reveals a promising revenue peak for Michigan City, but significant changes loom on the horizon—what does this mean for the future of development?

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5 months ago

Redevelopment Commission approves police vehicle buyout, grants and development agreements; multiple votes summarized At its Oct. 16 meeting the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approved a package of actions including a lease buyout for police vehicles, facade grant funding, an economic development agreement for the Fifth & Pine site, and several administrative resolutions; the commission also accepted the annual TIF presentation and deferred adoption of the

The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission just approved a series of significant developments, including a police vehicle buyout and a new economic agreement for Fifth & Pine!

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6 months ago

Michigan City Port Authority approves 6% slip-rate increase and $121,060.25 in bills; discusses credit-card surcharge The Michigan City Port Authority approved routine bills totaling $121,060.25 and a 6% increase to slip rental rates for next year, and discussed options for recouping roughly $70,000–$80,000 in annual credit-card fees including a possible 3–3.5% surcharge on card purchases.

The Michigan City Port Authority is raising boat slip rental rates by 6% and exploring a new credit-card surcharge to tackle mounting operational costs.

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6 months ago

Commission discusses community solar advocacy and regional climate-action planning for Northwest Indiana Commissioners reviewed local efforts to encourage community solar and discussed a renewed Northwest Indiana regional climate-action planning effort; members said state law currently blocks community solar and that advocates plan to pursue a legislative fix in early 2026.

Michigan City is taking bold steps towards community solar and a regional climate-action plan, but state laws are standing in the way—will advocacy efforts change the future?

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6 months ago

Residents raise environmental and transparency concerns as redevelopment staff explain LLCs and $450,000 payment tied to solar and data center projects Public speakers pressed the council over alleged pollution, backup generators and noncompetitive land deals linked to Project Maze. City redevelopment counsel and staff said two short‑term LLCs were created to meet statutory rules for an economic improvement district (EID), that the developer pledged $450,000 for housing, and that deeds reflecting“

Residents of Michigan City are sounding the alarm over potential pollution and lack of transparency tied to redevelopment projects, demanding immediate action from the council.

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6 months ago

Mayor says Michigan City responding to ransomware attack; investigators and restoration teams working Mayor Angie Nelson told the council the city was hit by a ransomware incident that encrypted part of the network. A forensic response team is investigating, and the city has not paid the ransom.

Mayor Angie Nelson reveals that Michigan City is battling a ransomware attack that has encrypted vital systems, as officials work tirelessly to restore operations without succumbing to ransom demands.

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