Fort Wayne, Ind. – Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today re-emphasized the importance of supporting a fiscal policy plan aimed at positioning the City of Fort Wayne for future growth and success.
What the fiscal policy plan presented to City Council would do:
*Add 20 more police officers
*Add 15 more firefighters
*Provide funding for street and road improvements without having to borrow money
*Provide funding for neighborhood curb and sidewalk projects
*Provide funding for enhancements to Parks facilities
*Provide Property Tax Relief for homeowners
*Small increase in income tax in order to continue with important, necessary services for the community such as Crime Stoppers, Safety Village, Police Athletic League, and parade security, to name a few.
"We must invest in our community, our children, and our grandchildren," said Mayor Henry. "Now is the time to build for the future, strengthen our neighborhoods, and ensure we remain a livable City with all the services our citizens expect and deserve."
Property tax caps implemented by the Indiana General Assembly have resulted in a loss of $53 million in revenue to the City. As a result, Mayor Henry created a Fiscal Policy Group in 2012 to develop a framework of ideas to save the community money and bring in additional revenue to help meet the financial needs of the City.
"We must be a leader. We're competing in a global economy. Our recommendations have received bipartisan and public and private sector support and will move us forward in a positive direction that sustains our tremendous quality of life and encourages job and business growth," said Mayor Henry.