Fiscal plan positions City for growth and success
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Mayor Tom Henry today stressed the importance of investing in the future of the City of Fort Wayne.
Mayor Henry is a strong supporter of the fiscal plan that's been presented to City Council and positions the City for growth and success.
Mayor Henry emphasized the time is now to look to the future.
"We must invest in our City. This is about our future as a community. This is about public safety, streets and roads, parks, neighborhoods, downtown, and job creation and retention," said Mayor Henry. "We must have a sound financial plan that sets us on a course where young people stay and enjoy successful careers, where our downtown grows and thrives, where our business climate is second to none, where our streets, roads, sewers, and water services are the best in the country. The time is now. We as leaders must move our City forward. Our financial plan sets us on the right path."
What the fiscal policy plan would do:
*Add 20 more police officers
*Add 15 more firefighters
*Increase the amount of street improvements from 34 miles this year to 70 miles each year in future years without having to borrow money
*Enhancements to our Parks facilities without having to borrow money
*Property tax relief for homeowners
*Small increase in income tax in order to continue with important, necessary services that citizens expect and deserve and would still have one of the lowest income tax rates in northeast Indiana
Mayor Henry also expressed his concern about the alternative proposal that was recently presented to City Council. The alternative proposal would deplete Legacy and CEDIT funding and does not offer sustainable solutions to meet the City's needs.
"We've set aside $5 million in Legacy money over the next five years for infrastructure needs. The remaining Legacy funds need to be for transformational projects that bring about positive change in our community. That's what City Council and I agreed to and approved last year," said Mayor Henry. "Hundreds of people came together and thousands of ideas were created through the Legacy process. It was truly an inspiration, and we're not going to throw all of that away. We're making great progress with current Legacy projects and will be in position for future investments that will make us unique and a place for continued job and business growth."
The overall fiscal policy plan combines savings to taxpayers, while also increasing revenues to keep Fort Wayne sustainable and continue a quality of life that builds for the future.