The Upland town council altered the town budget, heard a proposal for Jefferson Pathway’s trail to be made of limestone rather than concrete and approved the second reading for the 2026 Annexation on Sept. 16.
On the day of the meeting, the council was informed of racist graffiti discovered on a sidewalk in the community. Shawn Sizemore, Upland council president, read the council’s official statement, condemning hate speech.
“Acts of hate in any form have no place in this town of Upland,” Sizemore said. “They do not reflect who we are, what we stand for or the values we uphold as a town. Upland is built on respect, kindness and a shared commitment to caring for one another. Racism and hate speech seek only to divide, but we stand united in rejecting them.”
The council affirms the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, he said.
The council remains committed to ensuring Upland is a place where people feel safe, welcome and valued, he said.
“The town council, administration and employees call every resident to join us in condemning hate in all forms and in strengthening the bonds of unity and compassion that define the town of Upland,” Sizemore said. “Hate has no home here.”
The council provided copies of the 2026 Town of Upland Budget at the meeting.
The 2026 budget was cut by approximately $32,000 from the 2025 budget, Clerk-Treasurer Mary Fletcher said. The general fund budget for 2025 was $853,578.
The $32,000 from the 2026 budget is approximately $821,500.
Fletcher said the goal is for Upland to be prepared without over budgeting when SB 1 goes into place.
“Upland’s estimated revenue in 2026 is $881,946 but I chose to not budget those funds due to the uncertainty of SB 1,” Fletcher said. “The difference between the estimated revenue for 2026 and our budgeted amount is $60,446.”
The Indiana Senate passed SB 1 passed in April, 2025, which provides to provide homeowners $1.3 billion in property tax relief over the next three years, according to Indiana Senate Republicans. Every Indiana homestead will have a 10% credit, maxing at $300.
The Indiana Senate Republicans said the bill will result in two-thirds of homeowners seeing lower tax bills in 2026 than 2025.
“We didn't make major cuts to programming,” Fletcher said, “Or to our police or fire — all those have stayed the same. I did put in a little cushion in salaries for over-time.”
Fletcher believes the budget is balanced between employees and the water, sewer and general funds.
Town Manager Jonathan Perez proposed an alternative trail material for the Jefferson Pathway project on behalf of the Upland Greenways Association (UAGA). The planned pathway material is concrete, but UAGA is proposing a less costly material — crushed limestone.
“The concept is to construct a crushed limestone trail, consistent with the pathways along 8th Street,” according to Perez’ report.
The limestone trail costs less than 1/20 of the quotes received for a concrete path, according to his thisPerez’ report. He did not want the council to make an immediate decision, but wanted to share the proposal for later consideration, he said..
Crushed limestone might not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, Sizemore said. Additionally, for almost a year, the council has publicized published that the Jefferson Pathway would be concrete, he said.
“We have told the public and the community that it's going to be a concrete pathway,” Sizemore said. “My concern is not following through with what we've already stated.”
Since council members Brad Yordy and Heath Slain were not present,the council will wait to further discuss the Jefferson Pathway, Sizemore said.
Upland’s council meeting Oct. 21 has been cancelled.
