Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told the City Council Finance Committee that the 2016 budget will bring the municipal tax rate to 2014 levels.  The rate will see a small 1.16% increase due to bond debt not being issued until later than originally expected.  The mayor said general fund reserves are projected to be in good shape for the next few years.

“I feel really good about where we are financially right now in the general fund,” Fadness told the committee.  As a result, he plans to propose adding two police officers to start in June of 2016 to keep up with the population projections for the city.  He also plans to recommend the addition of a public parks laborer, with the massive Flat Fork Creek Park set to open next year.  Even with these hires, Fadness said the city is projected to have a $313,000 surplus in the General Fund.

A capital account will be used for cardiac monitors in city ambulances and two new fire engines under this 2016 budget proposal.

The mayor voiced concern about the sewer user fee account, which the mayor says is “not a sustainable model.”  The fee has not been increased in 20 years and the mayor says there are capital projects needed for the sewer systems in the city.

Under state law, the city council passes the budget, after reviewing the mayor’s proposing a spending plan.

In other city Council Finance Committee items…

–Terry Anker of the Legacy Fund gave committee members a presentation on how the nonprofit does business.  The City of Noblesville uses Legacy to pass out city money for charitable work.  Fishers currently funds organizations such as Conner Prairie, the Fishers Freedom Festival and the Fishers Arts Council.  The city council is considering using Legacy to make decisions about how the city’s charitable giving is spent.

–City Clerk Jennifer Kehl and Mayor Fadness told the committee that there is a large amount of paper being stored and it is costing the city.  Efforts will be made to destroy unneeded paper as the law allows and to scan documents that need to be retained, but it could be a long and expensive process.