Mayor Sharon Tucker

The grants are part of Mayor Sharon Tucker's three part Youth Violence Prevention Program.

The City of Fort Wayne released the budget late last month, with an expectation for a revenue loss due to Senate Bill 1.

The budget looks to plan ahead for expected challenges from changes at the state.

The presentation came following two weeks of friction after two councilmen questioned the city's plan for addressing homelessness downtown.

The letter highlights the work the city has already been doing, and outlines plans for additional work that has already been in the works.

The bill, signed into law by Governor Mike Braun earlier this year, cut residential and business property taxes, while giving counties additional room to generate income tax revenue.

The plan comes at the problem from three angles, stemming from conversations city leaders have been having about the uptick in youth violence.

The plan, which still needs approval from the Fort Wayne City Council, looks to focus on neighborhood improvements.

Members of the community were invited to a forum where leaders from the city answered questions and talked about potential solutions to ongoing youth violence in the area.

Allen County has seen 19 homicides so far in 2025, and many have involved juveniles or young adults, police say.