(LAGRANGE) – It was a busy meeting this week for the LaGrange County Council.

On Tuesday, the Council approved the 2025 budget for the County at $41.8 million. The budget now goes to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance for final approval.

In other business, the County Council approved a salary ordinance for 2025 that gives a 5% pay increase for employees.

In other matters, the County Council also agreed to give $717,000 to three projects as part of the Stellar Pathways Program. This is part of Connect LaGrange County, which is one of four finalists for a $7.2 million grant from the State of Indiana.

If LaGrange County is awarded the $7.2 million, it would be coupled with pledged match dollars which could result in almost $10 million to be invested into transformative quality of life and place projects.

Connect LaGrange County must submit their Strategic Investment Plan on November 1. On December 3, the team will travel to Indianapolis to present to the granting agencies their proposal.