Hamilton County Council members have wrapped up two days of hearings on the proposed 2027 county budget, with most of the discussion centered on staffing two new courts and the county’s new Public Safety Center, both scheduled to come online next year.

County Financial Consultant Mike Reuter opened the Sept. 1 hearings by laying out the revenues and resources available heading into 2027. The county has a cash balance of roughly $115 million and is projected to receive about $15.4 million in interest income.

“Hamilton County remains in a strong financial position, but we’re operating in a different environment than we have in years past,” County Council President Brad Beaver said. “Property and income taxes remain our largest revenue sources, but assessed values declined this year. It makes careful budgeting and long-term planning even more important as we look ahead.”

Much of the proposed new spending is tied to facilities and services starting up in 2027. Hamilton Superior Courts 8 and 9 are scheduled to begin operating in January, and staffing them means adding positions across the justice system.

Beyond the two judges to be elected in November, department requests include four new employees in the Clerk’s Office, seven employees for the two new courts, two deputy prosecutors and one support position in the Prosecutor’s Office, and three additional Sheriff’s Office employees assigned to the Judicial Center — 17 positions in all.

The county is also preparing to open its new Public Safety Communications Center in 2027. The $85 million, three-story building will provide 108,000 square feet for 911 dispatch and emergency operations.

Later in 2027, the new Public Safety Training Center is expected to be available to police, fire and EMS agencies from municipalities and towns across the county — Fishers among them. At least seven new Buildings and Grounds employees have been requested to help operate and maintain the new facilities.

The council is scheduled to adopt the final 2027 budget at a special session Oct. 19, after which it goes to the state of Indiana for approval. Once approved, the budget takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.