Common Council - September 14, 2026

The Common Council of Cooko, Indiana, held a meeting on September 14, 2026, which included a public hearing on the 2027 budget ordinance and several key procurement-related discussions. The council approved Resolution 2867, which involved transferring funds to cover expenses such as salt procurement, fire department radios, and new vehicles for engineering and other departments. A significant agenda item was the approval of a $1.2 million forgivable loan to St. Joan Apartments LLC, funded by tax increment financing, to support the rehabilitation of the historic St. Joan campus into a mixed-use development with ADA-accessible housing. This project was supported by both the Redevelopment Commission and the Economic Development Commission. Additionally, the council passed Ordinance 7250, amending zoning regulations to address setbacks and decommissioning agreements for data centers, reflecting community concerns about environmental and noise impacts. Public comments focused heavily on opposition to data center developments, emphasizing environmental stewardship, water resource concerns, and community impact. The meeting concluded with the passage of Ordinance 7251, authorizing the economic development revenue note for the St. Joan Apartments project.