From the Fort
Wayne News Sentinel:
Fort Wayne City Council
members seemed eager Tuesday to spend an $8 million-plus windfall resulting
from a state accounting blunder that shorted local governments by a total of
$206 million in taxes this year and in 2011.
A majority of council
members voiced support for putting the money toward street work, parks, police
equipment and other needs that went underfunded because of a lean tax revenues
and a flat city budget.
“It does appear $8.5
million, if that number is correct, would relieve some pressure on our city
budget,” said Councilman Geoff Paddock, D-5th.
When the error is
corrected, Allen County will receive about $15 million in local income taxes
that were never distributed by the state, with about $8.5 million going to the
city. The money includes county option income taxes and community
economic-development income taxes.
While Councilman Glynn
Hines, D-6th, called for a public hearing to get input on how to use the
windfall, most council members didn't lack for ideas. Council President Tom
Smith, R-1st, said the city should put $1 million into each council district
for neighborhood improvements.
Councilman Mitch Harper,
R-4th, noted that the city has fallen behind on $55 million worth of concrete
street repairs, and Councilman John Shoaff, D-at large, suggested using some of
the money to catch up on removing trees killed by the emerald ash borer.
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120411/NEWS/120419951
