Department Overview
The City Support Department serves as a central hub for essential administrative and operational functions that keep Michigan City running smoothly. This department brings together the City Controller’s Office, City Engineer, and City Attorney, streamlining services to better support residents, businesses, and city operations. From managing the city’s finances and infrastructure projects to providing legal guidance, City Support works behind the scenes to ensure efficient governance, fiscal responsibility, and the continued growth and development of our community.
City Controller’s Office
The Controller’s Office is the financial department of the City, serving as treasurer and auditor. The department oversees the payment of invoices, payrolls, and pensions, as well as the receipts of the City. The mission of the department is to accurately pay all properly documented invoices, payrolls, and pensions in a timely manner, while maximizing investment opportunities, thus reducing the need to borrow funds. The department issues payments from more than 100 funds on behalf of 30 departments.
City Engineer
The Engineering Department is dedicated to providing the technical and leadership assistance necessary for the continual improvement and enhancement of the infrastructure of the City of Michigan City.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide technical assistance to the Board of Public Works & Safety.
- Coordinate proposed public works projects of the various departments of the City.
- Review construction drawings of proposed public works projects.
- Prepare bidding documents and specifications for the street and alley paving, and sidewalk replacement programs.
- General administration of the street and alley paving program.
- Process street and alley cut permits.
- Respond to questions pertaining to the infrastructure of the City.
- Serves as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator on behalf of the City and investigates and responds to complaints of alleged disability discrimination pertaining to City services, activities, programs, or benefits, and enforces compliance with the new federal pedestrian row accessibility Guidelines.
The City Engineer serves on the Economic Development Commission, Planning Commission and Sanitary Board.
City Attorney
The Legal Department consists of the Corporation Counsel to provide legal services and advice to the Mayor, the City Council, and various Boards and Commissions as they establish and administer policies and programs to benefit Michigan City residents.
The Department’s service takes on many forms, however, the Legal Department does not provide legal advice to private citizens.
Services provided by the Department
- Supervising legal affairs of the city
- Serving as legal advisor to various city departments
- Approving city contracts
- Ensuring the legality and form of city contracts
- Evaluating and determining course of action for municipal litigation
- Working with outside counsel
- Reviewing administration of liability and workman’s compensation self-insurance programs
- Drafting and revising city ordinances and resolutions as necessary
- Enforcement and prosecution of city ordinances, including code and zoning
Not Just A Great Place To Visit, But A Great Place To Live
Michigan City offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and economic opportunity. Whether you’re a visitor exploring our stunning beaches or a resident enjoying our close-knit community, you’ll find endless reasons to call this place home.