Annexation approved

DUNKIRK — The city will get a little bigger.

Dunkirk City Council voted Monday to approve the annexation of 9.54 acres of property on the south side of the city.

Monday’s vote was the final step in the process to bring the land located east of Dollar General (1001 S. Main St.) and owned by Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation into the city. Officials have been working toward a development project on the property to create 32 apartment units.

The addition of the new property represents a 1.25% increase in the size of the city to just over 1.2 square miles.

An analysis by financial advisory firm Baker Tilly showed there would be no meaningful additional cost as a result of the annexation because the city already provides police and fire services and sewer and water lines are in place for that area.

The city has not heard any opposition to the annexation and there was no public comment at the meeting.

Council members Jesse Bivens, Christy Curts, Dan Watson, Donna Revolt and Randy Murphy unanimously approved the annexation.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur explained that there is now a 30-day remonstrance period, during which members of the public can file court action in an attempt to stop the annexation before it becomes official.

“Seeing as there have been no complaints so far, I don't anticipate that,” he said.

After the 30-day period, the city can take the next steps that include applying zoning rules and working toward the creation of a tax increment financing (TIF) district, which would capture taxes on the increased assessed value after development to be used by the city’s redevelopment commission on targeted projects. Schemenaur previously said that process could be complete by mid-2026.

Work toward the development is still in its early stages, with no developer tied to the work at this time.

Referencing the apartment development effort and various other projects that are in the works, Mayor Jack Robbins expressed optimism about the year to come.

“2025 was pretty good to Dunkirk,” he said. “2026 is gonna be better.”

In other business, council:

•Re-elected Bivens as president.

•Robbins announced that all department superintendents would stay in place for 2026.

•Heard from Revolt that construction of pickleball courts at Dunkirk City Park is expected to begin in March, weather permitting.

•Appointed Curts to the city’s plan commission and Kaelyn Weaver to the park board to replace Deb Storie and Larry Spade, respectively, both of whom stepped down from their roles.

•Heard Bivens request that the council review the city’s ordinance regarding water leaks and water bill adjustments at its next few meetings.

•Approved the following: sponsorship of a banner at West Jay Community Center; an adjustment to the salary ordinance to pay the IRS rate for mileage (previously, the city’s handbook and ordinance were not aligned); and payment of claims totaling $394,403.97. 

•Heard from Murphy that bids for 2026 street improvement projects through Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings grant program will be opened Tuesday. Streets set for paving this year are all of Rick Drive, Second Street, Walnut Street and Harold Avenue, Blackford Avenue between Meridian and Main streets, Commerce Street between Main and Broad streets, and Meridian Street from the railroad tracks to Blackford Avenue.