Mayor Chris Martin opened the Dec. 1 Logansport Common Council meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance before the council moved through a busy agenda that included multiple ordinance votes and several items held for later consideration. "I'm mayor Chris Martin calling to order the regular session of Logansport Common Council," he said at the start of the meeting.

The council approved a package of ordinances on their second readings, including: Ordinance 2025-36, which amends the Parks & Recreation Department fee schedule; Ordinance 2025-37, which updates lateral-transfer hiring language for police and fire personnel (the council amended section 2 to clarify Indiana Law Enforcement Academy certification language); Ordinance 2025-38, setting elected officials' salaries for 2026; Ordinance 2025-39, establishing a fund for exterior rehabilitation of the Logansport Cass County Memorial Center; Ordinance 2025-40, authorizing the Houston Park Native Habitat Restoration Project and a dedicated cost-shared fund; and Ordinance 2025-41, creating a fund for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. All of those ordinances passed their second readings at the meeting.

On new business the council advanced several first readings to be completed later this month: Ordinance 2025-42 (sewer use ordinance), Ordinance 2025-43 (a consolidated trash/yard-waste/recycling ordinance that consolidates provisions and establishes enforcement procedures and fines), Ordinance 2025-44 (unsafe buildings and premises enforcement), and Ordinance 2025-45 (amendments addressing vacant properties and a downtown registration/fee schedule). Council discussion on Ordinance 2025-45 included staff outreach and a promise to provide a mailing list before second reading; the item passed on first reading with one recorded "No" vote in roll call.

The council also approved Resolution 2025-162, transferring appropriations within the police department to cover overtime needs. Two resolutions were tabled to the special council session on Dec. 15 so members could secure further information and candidate names: Resolution 2025-160 (potential change to the 2026 holiday schedule, including a request to add Nov. 3) and Resolution 2025-161 (selecting a council president and making standing-committee appointments for 2026–27).

Committee reports at the start of the meeting noted that the rules committee (Nov. 17) had reviewed updates to the fireworks and trash ordinances, the 2026 holiday schedule and multiple appointments that were moved to council for action. The finance committee reported a police-department request to move funds to cover overtime and said it will meet Dec. 15 to address health-insurance premium matters. The utility committee presented revisions to the sewer use ordinance that were placed on the agenda.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025-36 (Parks & Recreation fee schedule): passed (second reading).
- Ordinance 2025-37 (public-safety lateral transfer policy, amended): passed (second reading).
- Ordinance 2025-38 (elected officials' salaries for 2026): passed (second reading).
- Ordinance 2025-39 (Memorial Center rehabilitation fund): passed (second reading).
- Ordinance 2025-40 (Houston Park habitat restoration fund): passed (second reading).
- Ordinance 2025-41 (SS4A grant fund): passed (second reading).
- Ordinance 2025-42 (sewer use ordinance): passed (first reading; second reading scheduled Dec. 15).
- Ordinance 2025-43 (trash/yard-waste/recycling consolidation): passed (first reading).
- Ordinance 2025-44 (unsafe buildings/premises enforcement): passed (first reading).
- Ordinance 2025-45 (vacant-properties amendments and downtown fee schedule): passed (first reading; staff to provide mailing list ahead of second reading).
- Resolution 2025-160 (holiday schedule): tabled to Dec. 15.
- Resolution 2025-161 (council president/committee appointments): tabled to Dec. 15.
- Resolution 2025-162 (police appropriations transfer): passed.

Council members scheduled a finance committee meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 followed by a special council meeting at which the body intends to complete second readings on year-end ordinances and other business. A council member also reported the city's budget was approved earlier that day.

What to watch next: the Dec. 15 finance committee and special council meeting, where the council expects to finalize second readings and consider appointments that were tabled.