TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The city of Terre Haute recently announced its proposed budget for 2026.
The proposed budget will be approximately one hundred and twenty-nine million dollars, a 1.47% increase from 2025’s budget. The city is expecting to get one hundred and twenty-eight million dollars in revenue for 2026, making next year’s budget nearly balanced.
The 2026 budget will prioritize public safety, improving archaic infrastructure, modernizing city equipment, and quality of life projects in the city, like the Deming Park pool, the work at Rea Park, the YMCA renovations, and other projects. Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun is trying to make sure the city’s spending doesn’t overwhelm the revenue the city takes in.
“We’re very deliberate with our efforts,” Mayor Sakbun said. “Last year, we ended with a surplus. In 2024, we reduced spending from the prior administration’s budget. We reduced spending this year to end in another surplus, and we’re doing what we can to maintain fiscal responsibility while still delivering maximum services to the taxpayer.”
Next year’s budget will also increase the base salaries for the city police and fire departments. It will also help cover fuel and utility costs for each department and allow them to update some of the equipment they use.
Mayor Sakbun also discussed the recent announcement of State Representative Tonya Pfaff reintroducing a bill to expand the lanes on I-70 from two to three lanes.
“Rep Pfaff has fought for Terre Haute residents during her entire career at the Statehouse,” Mayor Sakbun said. “This is another example of her ability to take a real-world problem and act on it. The proposed bill would allow for an expansion lane on I-70, which would address safety issues and the archaic infrastructure throughout I-70. This is a problem that cities and towns simply cannot solve, as interstates are out of our control. Tonya’s efforts do not go unnoticed as she continues to take feedback from business owners and everyday Hoosiers, then turns the feedback into strong policy.”
