Dunkirk reviews ’25 budget

DUNKIRK — The city got a first look at its proposed budget for 2025.

Before the new year comes, it will also need to make decisions about how to spend some federal funding.

Dunkirk City Council held its first reading and public hearing for the 2025 budget Monday and discussed the process for spending its remaining coronavirus relief funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Council members also heard from Mayor Jack Robbins regarding the potential purchase of land for housing on the south side of the city.

The 2025 budget was presented at just over $2.7 million, which is down from $2.74 million for 2024. A chunk of the budget in both years — about $500,000 in 2024 and $360,000 in 2025 — involves spending of American Rescue Plan Act funds. With those federal dollars removed, the budget is planned to increase about 5.1% over 2024.

The general fund makes up the bulk of the 2025 budget at $1.71 million. Other major funds include $319,010 in motor vehicle highway, $135,000 in local option income tax (LOIT) public safety and $100,000 in economic development income tax (EDIT).

No members of the public, other than local media, attended the meeting and public hearing, so there was no public comment on the budget.

Council will consider the budget for adoption at its Oct. 28 meeting.

Clerk-treasurer Kara Lowe also reminded council members that American Rescue Plan Act funds must be committed by the end of this year and spent by the end of 2026. County attorney Wes Schemenaur noted that committing the funds requires that they be under contract by the end of the year.

“There’s a number of ways to do it, but we just need to be aware of that and get that contract with a vendor or contractor in place, or identify that other agency of government that we are going to commit that money to,” he said, adding that the contract needs to be binding. (Once the money is committed, it can’t be pulled back and used for a different purpose.)

Robbins said plans call for using some of the funds to cover the installation of video and audio equipment for live-streaming meetings — it will be required by state law on July 1, 2025 — and said the city could consider using some of the money to repair and replace fire hydrants.

“It’s not problem spending that amount of money, it’s just putting it where it’s needed,” said Robbins.

Schemenaur said he will share a presentation he created for county government officials — he also serves as the attorney for Jay County — that explains the process and rules for committing the funds.

Robbins also informed the council that Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation has reached a tentative agreement with Brian Addington to purchase nearly 10 acres of land in the area behind Dollar General, 1001 S. Main St. He noted that the city would have right-of-way access to the parcel from Indiana 167 (Main Street).

The mayor said plans call for bringing in a developer to look at the parcel and determine if it fits with Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation’s plans for housing development. (He said it would likely involve apartment housing.) If the land is considered feasible for the project, Robbins will return to council with a formal purchase proposal and additional details.

In other business, council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt and Randy Murphy:

•Learned from Revolt that the connection between the Dunkirk City Park walking trail and the sidewalk along Highland Avenue does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Robbins said he believes the issue cropped up because of the lag time between the sidewalk and trail projects being completed. Indiana Department of Transportation will handle the work to make the connection ADA compliant.

•OK’d $16,608 in work by Peerless Midwest to rebuild a pump at the water treatment plant.

•Approved a $200 sponsorship for the Jay County Junior-Senior High School show choirs. (Robbins noted that the choirs typically perform at the city’s Feel the Warmth of Christmas celebration.)

•Heard from Robbins that a police vehicle that had been out for repairs is back in service.

•Approved payment of claims totaling $297,626.73.

•Heard the city received a thank you card from Secret Families Christmas Charity of Jay County for its sponsorship.