PROACTIVE APPROACH – Message From The Mayor

As we continue our efforts to build on the positive momentum we’re experiencing in the City of Fort Wayne, we’re in the process of presenting our 2015 City budget for approval.

The balanced budget for 2015 demonstrates our commitment to providing needed services to residents and businesses and positioning the City for future investments to be a leader in economic development, job growth, great neighborhoods, and an excellent quality of life.

The property tax supported budget, also known as the Civil City budget, totals $150 million. This budget does not include Fort Wayne City Utilities, which has its own budget funded by ratepayers.

With strong leadership and a commitment to fiscal responsibility, our budget positions our community to be able to invest in the future as we continue to enhance public safety, streets and roads, and our parks. By working together, we’re making a meaningful difference.

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The 2015 budget is a continuation of the work performed by the Fiscal Policy Group that was created by my office in 2013. My administration, Fiscal Policy Group members, City Council, and neighborhood and business leaders worked together on the passage of a financial plan to save money and bring additional revenue to the City. The results over the past year have included an increase in the number of police officers and firefighters, record amounts of neighborhood street, road, and sidewalk improvements, and needed enhancements and maintenance to City Parks.

2015 budget highlights:
*Academy class for the Fort Wayne Police Department (18 recruits)
*Neighborhood street, road, and sidewalk improvement projects
*Improvement/maintenance projects in City Parks
*Expenses unique to 2015 are $5.5 million and include an extra pay period due to the calendar structure of 2015 and costs for the 2015 municipal election
*Utilize the State of Indiana’s allowable tax levy to assist in preserving funding to provide essential services
We provide you with important services like responsive public safety services from our police and fire departments, plowing snow from our streets around the clock, and ongoing maintenance and improvements to our award-winning parks. These do come at a cost. This budget strikes the necessary balance between funding services and managing our revenues.

Fort Wayne and cities and towns across the State of Indiana continue to face budgetary challenges. Property tax caps have forced local governments to fund essential services with less revenue. Our proactive approach to enacting successful financial strategies to ensure sustainability and viability now and in the future has lessened the negative impact on the City.

The budget is available online at www.cityoffortwayne.org/smartgov/.