Mayor Hogsett to propose $1.7 billion budget Monday night

INDIANAPOLIS - Faced with declining property tax revenues due to changes in the state funding formula, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett will go before the City-County Council Monday night to propose a $1.7 billion 2026 budget that includes four percent spending cuts across many city agencies but protects public safety.




"The areas of public safety, like IMPD, like IFD, like IEMS, those agencies that are dedicated to keeping our people safe, they didn't get budget increases," said the mayor.




The proposed budgets for IMPD, IFD and the Marion County Sheriff's Office total approximately $800 million, while budgets for the courts, prosecutors, animal control and other public safety and criminal justice agencies add another quarter billion dollars to the plan, leaving a limited number of agencies to cut their budgets to reach overall spending goals.




While anticipating property tax revenue shortfalls that could total in the tens of millions of dollars, Council President Vop Osili said the city needs to "make sure the impact is not most felt by those who can least afford it. Equity is going to play a significant factor as we go forward."




Osili was asked if higher taxes or fees, which Hogsett has mostly avoided while presenting balanced budgets after inheriting a $50 million deficit in 2016, should be considered.




"All those things are possible and are on the table for discussion," he said. "We will never say no to anything. All things must be on the table."




From across the aisle, Republican Councilor Michael-Paul Hart said Statehouse changes will force local governments to make tough decisions.




"There are some difficult conversations coming up on whatever they may have to do due to Senate Bill 1; there is less property tax dollars coming in from that," Hart said.




Hart indicates the Marion County Prosecutor's budget of $35 million should undergo careful scrutiny, as Prosecutor Ryan Mears said he struggles with staffing and processing a heavier caseload while providing for non-courtroom community services.




"To me, you can't tell me on one hand that, 'I'm gonna go do these programs, but I don't have enough people,'" said Hart. "It's used the dollars to do the main function of the organization, and to me, that's prosecute crimes and if you need more people to do that, your budget should reflect that."




The first budget up for review Tuesday evening before the Administration and Finance Committee is the $7 million mayor's office budget.




Joe Hogsett's salary is $95,000 a year...without overtime.





via: https://fox59.com/news/mayor-hogsett-to-propose-1-7-billion-budget-monday-night/