News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Mayor Henry announces 2019 budget continues City’s commitment to investing in public safety, neighborhood infrastructure and parks
Budget positions Fort Wayne as a leader in job growth, providing unique quality of life amenities and meeting the needs of residents and businesses
(September 20, 2018) – Mayor Tom Henry today announced the City of Fort Wayne’s proposed budget for 2019 will continue the City Administration’s commitment to investing in public safety, neighborhood infrastructure and parks.
The balanced budget places an emphasis on providing essential services to residents, neighborhoods and businesses. The budget also positions Fort Wayne as a leader in job growth, economic development opportunities, a revitalized downtown, strong neighborhoods, and quality of life amenities that make our community a point of destination to live, work and play.
The property tax supported budget, also known as the Civil City budget, totals $173 million. This budget does not include Fort Wayne City Utilities, which has its own budget funded by ratepayers.
2019 budget highlights:
- Academy class for the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) to include 25 recruits. In addition, the FWPD plans to hire seven additional officers. The additions will allow the FWPD to have 480 officers patrolling City streets to protect the public.
- Academy class for the Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) to include 25 recruits. The additions will allow the FWFD to have 363 firefighters protecting the community. In addition, the FWFD plans to purchase two new fire engines.
- Continuation of commitment to neighborhood infrastructure projects with a total investment of $31.1 million, which includes $23.1 million for neighborhood streets and roads, $6.5 million for sidewalks and alleys and $1.5 million for bridges
- Investments in maintenance projects in City Parks to total $3 million
- Utilize the State of Indiana’s allowable tax levy to assist in preserving funding to provide essential services
“I’m looking forward to what 2019 will bring to the City of Fort Wayne as we’ve done our due diligence to put together a budget that reflects the needs and expectations of our residents, neighborhoods and businesses,” said Mayor Henry. “I applaud City Controller Garry Morr for his leadership in producing a budget that’s intended to meet the short-term and long-term goals of our community. We’re positioned for success now and in the future as a destination city moving in the right direction with momentum and excitement as the best is yet to come for Fort Wayne.”
Mayor Henry’s Administration will present the budget to City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The budget is available at https://www.cityoffortwayne.org/smartgov.
Recent achievements under Mayor Henry’s leadership through strong fiscal management and balanced budgets include:
- Lowest cost of living city by Niche (3rd year in a row)
- 17th best run city in the country by WalletHub
- Best place to live in Indiana and 40th in the country by U.S. News and World Report
- Best city in Indiana to live by Business Insider
- Top real estate market city in the Midwest by realtor.com
- Most affordable big city for homeownership by SmartAsset
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