It’s always a good feeling to return home on Labor Day after a great trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, spending time with my daughter, son-in-law and one-year-old grandson Dakota. Turning 70 was special on September 3rd, just feeling lucky & thankful to be here with generally good health.
But now that I’m back, I have budgets on my mind. After watching & listening to the YouTube video of the recent City Council Finance Committee meeting and listening to a city briefing on the budget August 31, I know a lot more about what to expect as the city budget process moves forward.
The mayor is proposing a spending plan for 2022 of $121.64 million with cash reserves for all funds at $41 million. Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren says this is $10 million more than required under the city’s guidelines for cash reserves, but Mayor Scott Fadness believes the extra money could be a cushion when plans advance in the coming months for a new city hall, arts center and community center, none of which are part of the 2022 budget proposal.
Fadness expects those project plans to be better understand once a group of experts sift through requests for proposals from the private sector.
But the city does plan to hire 3 more uniformed police officers next year, bringing the total of the sworn officers in Fishers to 123. The city plans to fully staff the new fire station on the northeast side of the city (once constructed) by hiring 8 new firefighters.
City employees (including elected officials) would receive a 4% pay increase in 2022 under the mayor’s proposal.
Fadness is concerned about a 3.6% decrease in Local Income Tax (LIT) funds for 2022, based on numbers provided by the state. City number crunchers had forecast a 4.1% increase in that tax revenue. The difference is costing the city $5 million in revenue. Fadness has asked House Speaker Todd Huston for an explanation as to how the Indiana Department of Revenue came up with the distribution allocation numbers.
HSE Schools will begin their budget process shortly. Expect an increase in the 2021 budget of $259.25 million when the 2022 plan is revealed.
Ever since the beginnings of this local Fishers news blog in 2012, I have sent the same message to those kind enough to read me. Budgets are perhaps the biggest decisions local governments make. It sets the priorities for government in the coming year. Yet, there is often very little public comment on the budgets during the decision-making process.
The Fishers City Council has a lot to say about the final budget numbers. The council will conduct a public hearing on the 2022 budget plan. Take the time to understand the priorities in the city budget and, if you think priorities should be different, this is your chance to have your voice heard.
Bottom line is this….pay attention to budgets. They decide where your tax dollars are spent.
Larry, do you know if the budget includes plowing the Nickel Plate trail if/when we get lots of snow? Many will be using it for running, walking, biking outside now that the plans have moved forward to complete it up to 146th street by Halloween.
I know — it’s only September, but I’m already thinking about snow removal. This should always be a city priority if we are going to invest in infrastructure. If we’re going to pride ourselves in providing health benefits to city and county residents by building these trails, we need to think about upkeep throughout the course of a year.
I know the budget is tight this year, but there are ways to cut programs that are wasteful. We, who read this blog, all know what I’m talking about.
There is funding for the Nickel Plate Trail in the 2022 budget proposal but I do not recall anything specific about snow removal. I will ask and post whatever I find out.
Just checked with the city on your question. The Fishers Department of Public Works (DPW) will have responsibility for clearing snow from the Nickel Plate Trail. However, their first priority will be clearing the streets, along with city and school properties. But DPW will be clearing the trails once the priorities are done.
This is actually becoming a hot topic among Hamilton county residents.
Ever since the Save the Train campaign failed, and when it became clear that the former railroad was to become the Nickel Plate trail, we, who wanted the trail built as soon as possible, have been waiting for any news on the city of Nobleville state of budget with regards to their allocation of funds to complete the trail north of 146th Street.
Larry, I know you deal primarily with Fishers, but in this case, do you have any idea when or even if Noblesville will complete their portion? Their website is very vague
Hi Lex, I did read a story placed on the Hamilton County Reporter Web site, which appears to post a news release from the Noblesville mayor’s office, about his 2022 budget proposal. It does mention some trail spending, but nothing specific about the Nickel Plate Trail.
Thank you. I will continue to keep an eye out for any news myself and post here should I hear something.
It would make it a nice alternative to the Monon, which, frankly, is overcrowded these days as I think it is almost too popular. Nickel Plate, once completed, should relieve some of the congestion. I personally know people who travel to Carmel just to use their trail for exercise.