Maggie Mintz calls for a public forum to discuss impacts of recent federal education bill.

Board discusses water leak solutions and approves task orders for wellhead protection update.

The Board of Public Works and Safety approved two contracts to modernize the city's water and wastewater SCADA communications after a CISA alert; the combined contract totals $87,000 and moves remote equipment onto a private Verizon network, officials said.

Only two bids were submitted for the Madison amphitheater and both exceeded anticipated budgets; staff will work with engineers and contractors on scope, phasing and value engineering and return in October with a refined plan.

City leaders presented a proposed $16.5 million 2027 general fund budget, described as "very flat," and warned that state property‑tax reform and a new local income tax will force multi‑year revenue decisions. The city must participate in an Oct. 1 interlocal meeting about income‑tax rates.

The Madison Redevelopment Commission approved economic development agreements for Madison Woods and Kahler Farms, committing city incentives and performance milestones to support nearly 400–750 housing units across multiple price points; both agreements passed by voice vote with no opposition.

Utility superintendent Brian Jackson said INDOT's State Road 256 project will require a reimbursable relocation of about 360 feet of sewer force main (estimated at $50,000), IDEM will conduct a combined sewer overflow audit Wednesday, and the city received 2,854 new water meters; Well 2 is being taken out of service to investigate sand in the pump.

The City of Madison held first readings on two voluntary annexation ordinances — Madison Woods and Kaler Farms — and approved a fiscal plan for both. The council set a public hearing for Aug. 4; adoption could follow after the statutory waiting and notice periods.

Several residents raised a private-property dispute involving Councilman Patrick Tavanagh and alleged differential police response when elected officials are involved. The mayor said he will appoint a select committee to draft a code of conduct and conflict-of-interest policy for future council consideration.

After hours of public comment disputing valuation, floodplain risk and alleged lack of transparency, Madison City Council approved a resolution transferring the downtown ‘Coal Lot’ to the Redevelopment Commission with an amendment that bars requesting zoning variances as part of any transfer agreement.

The Madison City Council finalized plans for a new animal control building.

The Focus Act will ban the use of cell phones during the school day starting this fall, and while that rule is the same for every school in the state, the guidelines and consequences in place will vary per school system. 

Madison City's redevelopment commission approved minutes and claims, received a financial report on a new grants/donation reporting format and heard mayoral and staff updates on roughly $15 million in recent park investments and upcoming projects including a June 17 ribbon cutting.

The council approved Resolution 2026-4C to declare a primary economic revitalization area for a proposed 82-room Hampton Inn on Clifty Drive; city staff said infrastructure work will be funded in part by a $200,000 grant from tourism revenue and a multi-year partial tax abatement is proposed.

The Madison Historic District Review Board granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to the City of Madison for a new amphitheater in Bicentennial Park. Designers described permanent AV/electrical rooms, enlarged restroom blocks, staged elevation changes, and material choices aimed to respect the historic park setting.

On May 19 the Madison common council adopted Ordinance 2026-10C, revising building, subdivision and zoning fees to comply with recent state law changes; the measure passed on second reading by roll call and includes new requirements for audits, a non-reverting fee fund and limits on how often fees may be updated.

City officials described site stabilization work at Trinity United Methodist Church, said the state fire marshal and insurance groups will conduct a joint scene examination, warned the public to stay behind barricades and reported the Broadway Fountain remains without power while utility repairs proceed.

The Madison City Council on May 6 approved a resolution to enroll city firefighters in the 1977 Police Officers and Fire Fighters Pension and Disability Fund and passed two airport-related ordinances, while tabling a fee amendment until May 19 for required public advertisement.

The Madison Redevelopment Commission approved an economic development agreement with Clifty Madison LLC to bring an 84-room Hampton Inn to Madison and passed a resolution initiating a proposed tax abatement (100% year one, 50% years two–six); the project includes a $200,000 infrastructure ask covered by a Jefferson County Board of Tourism grant, and commissioners said council action will follow.

Airport director Brent Spry told the redevelopment commission the airport needs an airport-owned hangar to unlock grants and private development; he described a plan to seed south-end infrastructure, cited a potential tenant rent of $2,500 per month and asked the commission and city to consider funding strategies.

The Madison City Redevelopment Commission approved two change orders totaling about $550,000 to extend the Clifty/Madison Connector Trail, add parking and sidewalks and fund a West End pedestrian crossing and traffic-calming measures; officials said work should be substantially complete ahead of a tentative May 22 ribbon-cutting.

City planning staff gave a detailed presentation on a proposed Unified Development Ordinance intended to modernize Madison's zoning and subdivision rules; residents raised concerns about riverfront size limits, commercial-solar setbacks for RA parcels and multifamily uses. Council opened public comment and scheduled future review steps.

After a presentation and limited public comment, the Madison City Plan Commission voted unanimously Feb. 17 to recommend the 12/30/2025 Unified Development Ordinance and an updated zoning map to City Council, including four staff-proposed amendments addressing Riverfront setbacks, Open Space uses, parking encroachment and typographical fixes.

A congresswoman announced $1,000,000 in community project funding for a Madison City stormwater mitigation project. City officials and emergency responders described past flood damage and said the money will support early warning systems, detention basins and creek work as part of a larger multi-phase effort.