Chesterton town officials will have to consider potential cuts and raising fees, including charging a wheel tax, in future years to close the funding gap created by Senate Enrolled Act 1, Town Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Udvare said.

Udvare presented the town’s budget for 2026 before Monday’s Town Council meeting. Council gave the budget a first reading with a final vote scheduled for its next meeting on Oct. 27.

The town appears to be in good shape for 2026 with a total budget of $23,244,184, Udvare said. The general fund, which finances the police and fire departments that have the most employees, will be $9,000,120.

Udvare said that the property tax reforms enacted with Senate Enrolled Act 1 make it more difficult for the town to meet rising future expenses.

“Next year will be much har

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