Fort Wayne’s proposed 2013 budget is balanced and continues the city’s emphasis on leadership, fiscal discipline and building a stronger and more competitive city.
With each budget proposed by my administration, we have kept finances strong while continuing to provide quality services to residents.
Our 2013 budget is a continuation of our commitment to utilizing resources in the most effective way possible and positioning our community to be a place that is built for success.
I appreciate the hard work of our division heads and all city employees as we work together to make our city the best it can be.
With each budget proposed by my administration, we have kept finances strong while continuing to provide quality services to residents.
Our 2013 budget is a continuation of our commitment to utilizing resources in the most effective way possible and positioning our community to be a place that is built for success.
I appreciate the hard work of our division heads and all city employees as we work together to make our city the best it can be.
Fiscal highlights
•City has come under budget every year in my administration.
•Through innovation and best practices, nearly $17 million in savings since 2008. Examples include health care and joint purchasing.
We realize that with any budget, difficult decisions have to be made. Since 2008, the city has provided taxpayers with $60 million in property tax relief as a result of property tax caps and levy cuts.
As a result of past relief efforts, our proposed budget calls for the city to utilize the state’s allowable tax levy, which would preserve funding for essential services residents have come to expect such as leaf pickup, snow removal and street sweeping. The owner of a $100,000 home would see an increase of $2 per month. This would affect 60 percent of homes in the city that have not reached the tax cap. The remaining 40 percent of homeowners who’ve reached the tax cap would not see an increase.
The proposed budget also places a strong emphasis on maintaining our cash reserve. By keeping our savings at 10 percent of the operating budget, we are in better position to deal with unanticipated emergencies such as this past summer’s wind storm that resulted in $1.5 million in damages.
Fort Wayne is viewed by our peers as a leader in fiscal management and meeting the needs of residents. Past and ongoing efforts place us in a healthier financial position than numerous other cities across Indiana. Nevertheless, the changing economic landscape requires planning to ensure Fort Wayne remains a vibrant community with the means to serve its residents, secure investment and achieve its goals.
To be better positioned for the future and meet challenges, I launched the Fiscal Policy Project earlier this year. Led by a group of experts, the objective is to gain a full understanding of fiscal conditions and assist in building for the future to keep Fort Wayne competitive. This approach will help us meet coming challenges. We look forward to working with City Council to move our city ahead in the most effective way possible.
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