With the budget for 2026 finalized, the Gary Common Council is turning its attention to its next major decision: a proposed rate increase from the Gary Sanitary District.
The district says the higher rates are needed to fund a $300 million, 30-year plan required by the federal government to reduce sewage overflows into the Grand Calumet River. To meet federal revenue targets, the district proposes raising nonresidential rates to $14.38 per thousand gallons from $8.50, while keeping residential rates unchanged.
In redevelopment, contracts for appraisal services were authorized and awarded in connection with several properties within the city, including the Genesis Center, the Diamond Center, the old Health Department facility, and the former Sears building.
On Nov. 20, the Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on Gary’s draft Unified Development Ordinance, marking the first major overhaul of the city’s zoning code in decades. The ordinance would replace multiple chapters of the old code with a single, clearer framework aligned with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Rebuild Gary strategy. It’s designed to encourage economic development, mixed-use projects, equity, and sustainability while speeding up approval processes and cutting through red tape.
Gary Common Council
Dates: Monday, Nov. 17
Location: Gary Public Library
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1315
Biweekly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Date: Thursday, Nov. 6
Location: Hudson And Campbell Sports and Fitness Center
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1315
Parks and Recreation
Dates: Tuesday, Nov. 11; Tuesday, Nov. 25
Location: Hudson-Campbell Sports and Fitness Center, 455 Massachusetts St.
Time: 10 a.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-7099 ext. 36900
Held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month
Board of Public Works and Safety
Dates: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 19, 26
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway, Cleo Wesson Lounge (2nd floor)
Time: 2 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1310
Weekly on Wednesdays
Board of Zoning Appeals
Date: Thursday, Nov. 13
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1300
Monthly on the second Thursday
Finance Committee Meeting
Date: Thursday, Nov. 6
Location: Hudson And Campbell Sports and Fitness Center
Time: 6:30 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
Gary Redevelopment Commission
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 26
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 4 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
Monthly on the fourth Wednesday
Gary Plan Commission
Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Location: City Hall, 401 Broadway
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 886-1531
Gary Housing Authority
Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Location: Gary Housing Authority Central Office, 2nd floor, 578 Broadway
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-6400
Planning & Development Committee Meeting
Date: Thursday, Nov.6
Location: Hudson And Campbell Sports And Fitness Center 455 Massachusetts Street
Time: 5:30 p.m. CST
Contact: (219) 881-1315
Gary Sanitary District/Stormwater Management Meeting
Date: Friday, Nov. 21
Location: 3600 W. Third Ave.
Time: Noon
Contact: (219) 944-0595, x1816