PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE – Message From The Mayor

The City of Fort Wayne’s proposed budget for 2018 is going through the review and approval process.
Our balanced budget proposal continues my commitment to providing essential services to residents, neighborhoods and businesses. The budget also reflects Fort Wayne’s position as a leader in economic development opportunities, job growth, strong neighborhoods and quality of life amenities that make our community a point of destination for investment and growth.

The property tax supported budget, also known as the Civil City budget, totals $165 million. This budget does not include Fort Wayne City Utilities, which has its own budget funded by ratepayers.

2018 budget highlights:
*Academy class for the Fort Wayne Police Department to hire 24 new police officers. The additions will allow the FWPD to have 460 officers patrolling City streets to protect the public.
*Academy class for the Fort Wayne Fire Department to hire 22 new firefighters. The additions will allow the FWFD to have 361 firefighters protecting the community.
*Continuation of commitment to infrastructure projects – $22.5 million for neighborhood streets and roads, $6 million for sidewalks and alleys and $1.4 million for bridges for a record total of nearly $30 million.
*Investments in maintenance projects in City Parks – $3 million
*Utilize the State of Indiana’s allowable tax levy to assist in preserving funding to provide essential services

The 2018 budget is a continuation of the work performed by the bipartisan Fiscal Policy Group created by my office. Four years ago, Fiscal Policy Group members, City Council, neighborhood and business leaders and I worked together on the passage of a financial plan to save money and bring additional revenue to the City. The results 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.

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I continue to be encouraged by the momentum we’re experiencing in Fort Wayne. The 2018 budget places an emphasis on public safety, neighborhood infrastructure and our award-winning Parks. Our proactive approach to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars helps ensure sustainability and viability now and in the future. Successful financial strategies assist us in our efforts to be a city that features a positive business climate, new jobs and thriving neighborhoods.

The budget is scheduled for final approval by City Council later this month and is available at www.cityoffortwayne.org/smartgov.