The Fishers City Council gave preliminary approval to a $103.8 million proposed spending plan for 2018, but left uncertain a proposal to increase the city council salaries for next year.  The budget received first reading at the Monday night council session.  Final approval is expected at next month’s council session.

A spirited debate ensued during the council work session, held before the regular meeting. Brad DeReamer asked why there was no pay raise for the city council members and the city judge, when all other city employees, including the elected city clerk and the mayor, were included in the 5% pay increase.

Council Finance Committee Chairman Eric Moeller said he surveyed fellow council members and determined there were not 5 votes (a council majority) to pass a pay increase for city councilors.  DeReamer and Councilman Pete Peterson argued forcefully in the work session that the council should not get so far behind in the pay scale that a large percentage increase will be needed in the future, as happened in 2017.

When the salary ordinance was up for council consideration, DeReamer made a motion to provide a 5% 2018 pay increase for the city council members and the city judge.  That measure passed 5-2, with Eric Moeller and Cecilia Coble casting no votes.  Council members John Weingardt and Selina Stoller did not attend the council meeting.

This allows the amendment to pass and become a part of the 1st reading version.  However, the salary ordinance can be amended once again when a final vote is taken in October.

Just because the salary ordinance amendment allowing the council pay raise passed, it may not be enacted next month.  For example, Councilman Todd Zimmerman told LarryInFishers he voted for DeReamer’s amendment only to allow Weingardt and Stoller to weigh-in and vote on the amendment next month.  Zimmerman indicated he is not in favor of the 2018 council pay hike, but voted yes only to allow a final vote including all council members next month.

Fadness told council members his 2018 budget proposal includes a $37.9 million cash reserve.  He expects the budget will trigger a 1.5 cent property tax rate increase per $100 of assessed valuation.  The mayor estimates homes valued at between $100,000 and$250,000 will see property taxes rise between $10 and $25 next year.

The mayor provided data showing Fishers with the lowest property tax rate among the state’s 15 largest cities, and one of the lowest tax rates in Hamilton County.