Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
As we enter the month of February 2026, I would like to provide several updates from my office.
Extreme Cold and Snow: We have been reminded this past month that Old Man Winter is alive and kicking. Please continue to be patient with our daily efforts to empty trash totes, remove snow on local roadways, and respond to countless other issues during cold weather and/or large snow events.
When we are strongly advised to stay inside and off the roads during these trying times, many of our civilian city employees, as well as ALL emergency personnel, are asked to brave dangerous conditions to serve and protect their 16,000 fellow neighbors in our great city.
Most are surprised to learn that our city has 240 lane miles of roadway to address during a major snow event (Have you ever driven to Chicago O’Hare Airport and back?) and we also have just over 1,000 trash totes to empty each day for a grand total of about 5,500 a week.
Senate Enrolled Act 1: We are continuing to learn at the local level that Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) doesn’t eliminate the tax burden; it just shifts costs around to other taxpayers while also making leaders at the local level face potentially large cuts to essential services that make our cities, towns, and schools safe, accessible, and thriving.
As mayor of Warsaw, I have the responsibility to share with residents and business leaders the overall impact and likely results during this process. For example, under last year’s SEA 1, the City of Warsaw’s Local Income Tax (LIT) revenue is projected to decline from $7.8 million to $4.9 million - an approximate 37 percent reduction beginning in 2027. That drop comes on top of revenue volatility and rising infrastructure costs. And while I certainly support tax relief for our citizens, this projected income tax reduction is on top of lost revenue due to the recent property tax cuts.
Cities can, and should, plan for change. But relying more on the LIT to fund local government, which is subject to volatility, means the system needs to be as sound as possible.
Stable revenue allows communities to invest wisely, manage infrastructure and utilities responsibly, provide emergency services, and avoid shifting higher costs to residents now or later.
To better plan for the next few budget cycles, there are a few changes to the state’s new system that would give me more confidence that Warsaw can weather the fiscal storm likely heading our way: 1) Changing the LIT rate allocation formula to ensure our city can sufficiently fund vital services, 2) Making it easier for cities and counties to collaborate on a countywide LIT rate, and 3) Removing the re-adoption of LIT rates annually would collectively help stabilize municipal budgets under the new system. With ongoing collaboration between local leaders and state lawmakers, we can get there.
Parking Enforcement: Much progress has been made by countless stakeholders to provide more consistent parking enforcement downtown. Earlier this week, the Common Council unanimously voted in favor of updating our archaic parking ordinances to help: 1) Discourage parking space shuffling, 2) Increase the turnover of available parking spots for daily visitors, and 3) Create a more modern and adaptable approach to code enforcement within our vibrant downtown.
Railroad Tracks: Last fall, Norfolk Southern addressed major concerns with the crossings on Main and Center Streets. Norfolk Southern is also partnering with us for more work to be done this spring at the crossings on Market Street and Winona Avenue.
Related to Winona Avenue, I want to thank Norfolk Southern for quickly addressing the potholes in late January with patch work to make the railroad crossing bearable until it is fully addressed this spring.
City of Warsaw Common Council, Board & Commission Meetings in February: During the entire month of February, all city government public meetings will be held at the Warsaw Police Department Training Center.
This column “…From the Mayor” will provide brief updates, the sharing of opinions, establishing vision, identifying priorities, and offering potential solutions for residents in our community. You may contact my office via email at jgrose@warsaw.in.gov or by phone at (574) 372-9595.
Your Neighbor,
Jeff R. Grose
