Another budget season, another year of conflict between the Lawrence Common Council and Mayor Deb Whitfield. Now, councilors are accusing the Democratic mayor of not being transparent about the 2026 budget. The Whitfield administration told councilors the budget will be presented Sept. 30. “The council should not be in this predicament,” President Betty Robinson, Democrat, said at a Sept. 17 council meeting. Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.