Dunkirk plans to increase rates, wages

DUNKIRK — Water and sewer rates will be increased in 2026.

So will wages for city employees.

Dunkirk City Council gave initial approval to 3% increases to water and sewer rates and 2% raises for employees at its meeting Monday.

The council, absent president Jesse Bivens, discussed the water and sewer rates, which were also raised by 3% last year, which was in line with the city’s long-term utility plan. Council member Christy Curts suggested another 3% raise.

“I’d rather see it go up a little bit every year than a whole bunch in one year,” she said.

The increases would push the minimum water rate to 25.54 per month from the current $24.80 and the minimum sewer rate to $17.90 per month from the current $16.87.

Council members Dan Watson, Donna Revolt, Randy Murphy and Curts unanimously approved moving forward with the increase.

Mayor Jack Robbins brought up the employee raises, saying the 2026 budget process is going to be difficult given uncertainty regarding the amount of funding that will be available following significant changes made to tax policy by state officials this year.

“This is probably, as mayor, this is going to be the toughest budget I’ve dealt with,” he said.  “We’re looking for a lot of answers with SB1 (now Senate Enrolled Act 1) and what’s gonna happen in the next three years.”

Senate Enrolled Act 1 made various changes to tax policy that resulted in most local government units expected to see less of a funding increase than they would have previously. (Estimates in April projected that Dunkirk would receive about $180,000 less over a three-year period than under the previous system, though late changes were made to the legislation.)

Robbins noted that there is a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Jay County High School with state officials regarding Senate Enrolled Act 1.

“I would like to be able to tell a dollar amount to what’s gonna happen to the city of Dunkirk in the next three years, but I don’t know what it’s going to be,” he said. “I’m hoping that it’s not what they’re saying. I’m hoping they’re going to change that.”

Given the uncertainties, Robbins suggested a 2% raise for all employees for 2026.

Watson spoke in support of the suggestion, noting that the city gave larger raises in the last couple of years. Employees received 7% raises in 2024 and 5% raises this year.

Council members unanimously approved moving forward with 2% raises for 2026.

Both the water/sewer rate increases and the employee raises will need to be approved via ordinance before going into effect.

Clerk-treasurer Kara Lowe also floated the possibility of shifting all department heads and firefighters to become salaried employees.

In other business:

•Council approved the following: the sale of a 1979 Ford truck to Brad Dues of Portland for $6,250 and a 2015 Dodge Durango and a Jeep to Danielle Cassity for $2,610.50 and $655, respectively, all of which were the high bids; a $500 sponsorship for the capital campaign to refurbish the gym floor at West Jay Community Center; a $200 sponsorship for Jay County Cancer Society’s Cancer Cruise; waiving permit fees for Dunkirk Historical Society for a shed and planned installation of a refurbished First State Bank clock at its site at the former train depot; waiving admission frees for Dunkirk City Pool for the city’s Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 5; purchasing a new alarm system for the water department’s chlorine room from Spear Corporation for $5,684; and payment of claims totaling $274,161.72.

•Curts noted that fireworks for Independence Day will be held at dusk on Saturday, July 5, at Dunkirk City Park. In case of inclement weather, they will be rescheduled for July 6.

•Council agreed to start the process of creating a non-reverting fund for the fire department in order to save money for equipment needs. Funds from fire protection contracts — Dunkirk has agreements with Knox, Jackson and Richland townships in Jay County and Niles Township in Delaware County — would go into the new fund. That money, which totaled $14,451.06 in the most recent contracts, currently goes into the city’s general fund.

•Pam Robbins reported that West Jay Community Center is partnering with East Central Indiana Regional Planning District to host an “Internet Smarts” course at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the community center. The course is free and open to the public.

•New Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales introduced herself to the council.

•Murphy said the city’s street department has ordered stop signs for the intersection of Washington and Broad streets. The council recently voted to make the street a four-way stop.