Fort Wayne is a growing and successful city with a firm commitment to meeting the needs of residents, neighborhoods, and businesses through fiscal discipline and protecting taxpayers.
It’s been a privilege to work with Mayor Sharon Tucker on her first budget. Budgeting can be complex, but her experience on City Council, Allen County Council, and leadership roles in the private sector prepared her well. She was up to the challenge.
My office also works closely with city division and department heads to develop a budget that reflects our community in the best way possible. We look forward to detailed discussions with City Council as we work toward passage in late October.
Initial meetings with City Council members have been positive and productive. It’s encouraging that open communication, dialogue and trust truly matter.
Residents can take comfort in knowing that the 2025 proposed budget of $246.2 million is balanced, includes a 5% reduction in the tax rate, and we’re in position to make major investments in neighborhood infrastructure, parks and public safety.
Growing and thriving cities make basic services a priority, and Fort Wayne is a recognized leader in providing excellent services to the public.
We continue to see a lot of positive indicators. For the 12th year in a row, local assessed valuations on properties have risen. Steady revenue growth has allowed us to maintain a strong fund balance over the past several years. We also have a sufficient cash reserve to be able to respond to any unforeseen circumstances.
Here’s what the public can expect:
• A planned infrastructure investment of $44.7 million, led by the Public Works Division: $34.9 million for streets, roads and bridges; $7.5 million for sidewalks and alleys; and $2.3 million for trails. Areas that will see improvements include Paulding, Leesburg, Hillegas, Coldwater, Stellhorn and Winchester roads, as well as the neighborhoods of Oakhurst, Kirkwood Park, Centennial Park, Waynedale, Fairfield Terrace/Belmont and Westchester.
• Infrastructure projects based upon neighborhood plans including the Southeast Strategy, Packard, Northeast, Near Northwest and East Central plans, and construction funding for Oxford street-scape improvements.
• Investments in maintenance projects through the Parks & Recreation Department of $3 million. There will be upgrades to Brewer Park, Packard Park’s master plan work will be finished, and Foster Park’s entrance design will be completed with construction starting. There are also plans for Headwaters Park, including a new fountain with a splash pad. In addition, construction on Riverfront Phase IIb will be underway.
• The police department will have its 69th recruit class that will keep the budgeted number of officers patrolling streets at 500, plus the addition of 10 officers requested through a COPS grant. The FWPD will be expanding investigative operations center technology as part of the real-time crime center for solving violent crimes. The FWPD will also expand the downtown bicycle, forensics and drone units.
• The fire department plans to add three engines. The 97th recruit class is planned and will bring the number of firefighters to 375. There are upgrades planned for Safety Village as well as the design of a new Fire Station 5 in Waynedale.
Mayor Tucker talks a lot about providing an enhanced quality of life for all while at the same time being a fun, family-friendly, affordable and safe community. I’m confident the budget that’s been put forward for our community complements that mission and vision.
Fort Wayne is primed for a bright future. I’m honored to have a role in overseeing how our financial picture helps shape how we’ll grow and prosper working together as a unified community.
Garry Morr, City Controller
This article is featured in the September 26, 2024 edition of The Journal Gazette.