Mayor Tom Henry unveiled his $180 million budget proposal for the 2020 fiscal year during an official announcement at Citizens Square Thursday morning.
In his 2020 package, Henry is focusing on neighborhood investment, a 2% decrease in the local property tax and increasing support for the police and fire departments. {WEB ONLY The proposal calls for $33.3 million in neighborhood investments, including:
- $23.9 million for neighborhood streets and roads
- $8 million for sidewalks and alleys
- $1.4 million for bridges
Henry is also seeking 15 new police recruits and 20 at the fire department next year. In addition, per the City:
- The FWPD will also be adding four replacement K-9’s and a new explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) robot and x-ray system for the bomb unit
- The FWFD plans to purchase two new fire engines and a new ladder truck.
According to city controller Garry Morr, the local property tax will likely decrease 2% as the result of strong assessment value numbers in Fort Wayne.
The release of the budget begins a month-long process in which City Council -- Fort Wayne’s “fiscal body” -- will meet with agencies and determine cuts; Council does not have authority to make additions to the budget.
The 2020 fiscal budget is expected to provide clarity for Council, which has put off funding requests such as a $3.86 million neighborhoods package proposed by Henry and a $500,000 Legacy Fund request from Science Central for a planetarium.
The administration will present the budget in full during Council’s meeting Tuesday at 5:30 pm. The City has until midnight on October 31 to approve it; presumably, the 2020 budget will be finalized and in place one week before municipal elections.
