Marion County Budget Blues
The Republican Leader of the Indianapolis City-County Council is planning to introduce a resolution Monday that will call for all governments in Marion County to come together and come up with a comprehensive five-year budget plan to address local needs and save taxpayers money. Phil Borst tells me that it’s time for everyone to put together a plan that addresses Marion County’s budget situation. The plan would tackle law enforcement, fire services and government administration. The plan would be drafted by June 1, 2006.
This sets up an interesting dynamic. Last Wednesday, the Council had a public hearing on whether to raise the county economic development income tax as away to offset losses from the phase out of the inventory tax and loss assessment from property tax relief provided by the state. Councilmember Jackie Nytes, a Democrat, told me that the city and county needs to look for ways to raise revenue. If this debate continues the way I think it will Democrats will phrase the tax argument as looking for responsible ways to fund government. Republicans will say that this about squeezing every dime out of government before going to the taxpayers.
Marion County townships are expected to lose anywhere from 9 to 14 percent in their assessed evaluations so the need for some revenue stream is going to be very pressing. The voters don’t like tax increases. Major bills are continuing to come due. The library system is a disaster. There is an election coming up. Police consolidation is trolling along and there will be a call from one city-county council member tomorrow to delay the merger and try to realize more short-term savings while the bigger issues can be worked out over time. Fire consolidation is still out there. If you thought things were bad before, in the immortal words of Al Jolson, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
