Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker and City Controller Pat Roller today announced that the City of Fort Wayne will implement changes to the city-owned vehicle policy in a proactive effort to save taxpayer dollars.
News release from the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana:
City to implement vehicle changes in effort to save taxpayer dollars
New policy to take effect July 1 as impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1 is being feltFort Wayne, Indiana (April 24, 2026) – Mayor Sharon Tucker and City Controller Pat Roller today announced that the City of Fort Wayne will implement changes to the city-owned vehicle policy in a proactive effort to save taxpayer dollars.
Current fiscal conditions and future budget projections are being impacted by [2025] Senate Enrolled Act 1. The legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Mike Braun has placed significant limitations on the growth of property and income tax revenues to be able to provide the vital services that the public has come to expect from local government. Major portions of the new law will have financial ramifications for the city as local units of government receive less money to fund critical public services.
Last year, Mayor Tucker created the SB1 Fiscal Task Force. The task force is working diligently to develop strategies to put the city in the best position possible now and in the future to address fiscal matters.
The task force has made its first recommendation by advocating for a change in Policy 607: City Vehicles. Effective July 1, 2026, “all civil city, City Utilities, and public safety vehicles shall not be operated outside the boundaries of Allen County unless authorized by the division or department head for official city business purposes in accordance with City Travel Policy 608.” Also, no city vehicles shall be taken home overnight outside Allen County.
It’s anticipated the policy change will save the city $500,000 each year moving forward. This is equivalent to being able to construct nearly a ½ mile of new trails, install a full signalization of an intersection, or resurface approximately three miles of residential streets.
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