Muncie, Indiana

Muncie, Indiana Mayor Dan Ridenour announced he will retire when his current term ends, effective December 31, 2027, and will not seek re-election. In a lengthy statement, Ridenour said the decision was primarily driven by his health, after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, a condition that sidelined him from his duties for several months before he returned to work in July. He said he wanted to announce his retirement then but held off until after the 2027 budget process.

Ridenour, who has served the city as councilor or mayor since 2004 and was elected mayor in 2020 following predecessor Dennis Tyler's bribery conviction, cited accomplishments including debt reduction, population growth, new fire stations and police staffing improvements. His tenure recently drew criticism over a failed "In God We Trust" police and fire vehicle decal proposal. Ridenour said he also wants more time with his wife, four children and six grandchildren, pledging to keep working through the remainder of his term.

ed."In God We Trust" decals on all city police and fire vehicles, voting 4-3 against Proposed Ordinance No. 18-26 at a Monday night meeting. Only seven of the council's nine members were present, as members Ro Selvey and Brandon Garrett were absent; Selvey's absence was attributed to a medical issue. The narrow attendance left a one-vote margin deciding the outcome, after an earlier meeting had split the council 5-4 along partisan lines.

Council President Jeff Green had introduced the ordinance but declined to say who had urged him to propose it. Critics argued the measure was inappropriate given Muncie's financial troubles and raised concerns about separation of church and state. Mayor Dan Ridenour told the council that anonymous donors had offered to cover the cost of the decals so taxpayers would not bear the expense, but councilors pressed him on the timing of those offers before ultimately rejecting the proposal.

Muncie, Indiana city leaders are debating a proposal to place "In God We Trust" decals on all police and fire department vehicles, a plan that drew more than a dozen public comments at a Monday council meeting, most opposed. Critics questioned the phrase's inclusiveness and argued the city, already facing budget losses tied to the 2025 Senate Enrolled Act 1, should not spend money on the decals. Council President Jeff Green, who authored the ordinance, said the cost would be minimal but could not say how many vehicles would be affected. Mayor Dan Ridenour voiced support, while council member Sara Gullion called the timing "tone deaf" given the city's finances.

The council split 5-4 along party lines to send the measure to a final vote next month. Legal experts note the phrase has withstood past First Amendment challenges, including *Town of Greece v. Galloway* and *New Doe Child #1 v. Congress*, and that a 2022 Supreme Court shift has made similar religious-speech measures by local governments more likely to survive constitutional scrutiny, even as debate over their wisdom continues.