Angola Council Closes Out 2025 Business - Sets Course for 2026

(ANGOLA) - The Angola Common Council wrapped up its final meeting of 2025 in under 10 minutes Monday night, closing out the year with praise, approvals, and a look ahead. Mayor Dave Martin thanked council members for their work, highlighting a year that included record attendance at the Fourth of July celebration, the opening of Sheets Family Fun Park, and progress on the Pokagon State Park sewer and water project. Council approved a $7,000 fire protection agreement with Jackson Township and heard updates on ongoing negotiations with Pleasant Township to form a new fire territory, with public meetings planned early next year and a target agreement by March 2026. Members unanimously approved the mayor's list of department heads for 2026 and passed the city's new pay scale, effective through December 2026, covering all city departments. Martin closed by calling the group "one of the best councils" he has worked with, saying the year proved that--even when there are disagreements on certain issues--local democracy works.