ELKHART, Ind. -- The Elkhart City Council is moving forward with its proposed 2027 budget, which officials say will focus on quality-of-life improvements while continuing investments in neighborhoods and city employees.
City Council President Arvis Dawson said the city is receiving more funding than initially expected, giving officials additional flexibility to invest in the community.
“We have an Aspire project where we're developing different neighborhoods, changing the way our streets are monitored, as well as providing programs,” Dawson said.
A major focus of the 2027 budget is continued funding for the Aspire project, which includes efforts to address housing and neighborhood development in Elkhart.
Aspire projects include plans to transform the former Pierre Moran Mall site into a walkable neighborhood and development of The Flats at Pine Creek.
The proposed budget also includes a 6.3% pay increase for city employees, marking one of the biggest changes from the 2026 budget.
Dawson said the city's ability to continue funding these priorities comes in part from what he described as decades of fiscal responsibility, as municipalities across Indiana face changes affecting property taxes.
“Elkhart has been financially sound for probably the last 30 or 40 years,” Dawson said. “That's thanks to the previous administrations, previous councils and the conservative way we tend to budget our money and the way that our community is thriving with new industry, new housing.”
Dawson said he does not expect changes coming from the Indiana General Assembly to significantly challenge the city's budget until 2028 or 2029.
The council is expected to take final action on the budget during its Oct. 15 special meeting.