Redkey Town Council gets primer on budget

REDKEY — The town’s budget for 2026 hasn’t changed since last week.

Redkey Town Council members learned more about budgets during a two-hour meeting Thursday. Redkey’s budget adoption is set for Tuesday’s meeting.

Janet Alexander of consulting agency Local Government Services shared a spending plan comparison with council, which mapped Redkey’s proposed budget for next year at $646,173, a $22,687 increase from the current year.

Earlier this month, council reviewed the budget estimated $753,217 for 2026. That included $173,044 in home-ruled funds not reviewed by Indiana Department of Local Government and Finance.

Alexander walked through the budget with council on Thursday, explaining various state regulations. She mentioned Senate Enrolled Act 1, a largely tax-focused bill. She projected that Indiana will begin to feel the impact of its changes in the next five to six years but pointed out state lawmakers have another two sessions and could adjust the law before Senate Enrolled Act 1 is fully implemented.

Council members last week questioned whether they should create a new park fund and incorporate it into the budget. The existing park fund is used to pay for utilities. Hopes are to begin making renovations to Redkey Morgan Park in the near future, with council member Jenny Staver leading the effort. 

Alexander explained Thursday that the town can utilize other funds, such as the economic development income tax (EDIT), cumulative capital improvement or general funds to help pay for park projects.

Council members “Watermellon” Jim Phillips, Jenny Staver, Brenda Beaty, Floyd Life and Byron Daugherty voted to introduce the budget. Plans are to adopt it at their meeting Tuesday.