The Logansport Common Council on Nov. 3 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions affecting public-safety equipment purchases, parks fees, employee pay and several dedicated funds.

The measures, introduced during new business, passed largely by unanimous roll-call votes. Items approved included additional funding for a fire engine for the Southside fire station; amendments to the parks and recreation fee schedule; an expanded lateral-hire policy for police and firefighters; purchase and installation of security cameras for parks; and creation of dedicated funds for a memorial center rehabilitation project, a DNR cost-share fund for a park habitat restoration project, and a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant fund. An amendment to the salaries ordinance for appointed officials passed immediately after the council voted to suspend the rules.

Why it matters: The approvals commit city funds, set fees and payroll rules, and establish accounts to receive grant or project-specific funding. Taken together the votes affect capital spending, personnel policy and routine operations for city departments including fire, police and parks.

Key votes and outcomes (at-a-glance):

- Resolution 2025-157 — Allocated additional funds for work-order changes to purchase the Southside fire station fire engine. Introduced by a council member; called and approved by roll call. Recorded “yes” votes included Dave Morris, Scott Beatty, Chris Howard, Susie Walmsley, Cameron Austin, BJ Cox and Hailey Zensmaster. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-36 — Amends the Logansport Parks and Recreation Department fee schedule; passed on first reading. Outcome: passed first reading (roll call affirmative).

- Ordinance 2025-37 — Amends and expands lateral transfer guidelines for police officers and firemen; passed on first reading. Outcome: passed first reading (roll call affirmative).

- Resolution 2025-158 — Amends a prior resolution to commit funds for historical inscription on the signal bridge gateway; approved by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-38 — Fixes annual salaries of elected officials for 2026; passed on first reading. Outcome: passed first reading (roll call affirmative).

- Resolution 2025-159 — Authorizes purchase and installation of Verdeca security cameras by Mission MSP for Logansport parks; approved by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-39 — Establishes the Cass County Memorial Center exterior rehabilitation project fund; passed on first reading. Outcome: passed first reading (roll call affirmative).

- Ordinance 2025-40 — Authorizes Houston Park native-habitat restoration and establishes a DNR cost-shared fund; passed on first reading. Outcome: passed first reading (roll call affirmative).

- Ordinance 2025-41 — Establishes a new fund for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program; passed on first reading. Outcome: passed first reading (roll call affirmative).

- Ordinance 2025-34 (amendment) — Amendment to the ordinance fixing salaries for appointed officials and employees for 2026. Council discussed two corrections to police line items and the handling of 27 pay periods in 2026; the council voted to suspend the rules and passed the ordinance with the suspension of rules. Outcome: approved with suspension of rules.

Council procedure notes: For most ordinances the council recorded votes during the first-reading motion; the minutes reflect the roll-call sequence of “yes” votes. For Ordinance 2025-34 the council explicitly moved to suspend the rules so the amendment could be adopted immediately; the motion to suspend carried by roll call and the ordinance then passed.

What the council did not do: No public comments were made during the public-comment period; there were no motions to table or postpone the items recorded on the transcript.

Next steps: Several ordinances passed on first reading and may return for additional readings or formal implementation steps as required by ordinance rules; the dedicated funds established will be available to receive project funding or cost-share grants once administrative implementation occurs.