Noblesville Common Council approves 2027 city budget

Submitted by City of Noblesville

The Noblesville Common Council has approved the Civil City 2027 budget, prioritizing responsible stewardship of public funds and return on investments for the benefit of taxpayers. The approved budget totals $143,619,604 to fund city operations, personnel, projects, and programs.

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and city leaders strategically developed the 2027 budget over a period of six months through a rigorous analysis and review process that included three Council work sessions, revenue forecast updates, Finance Committee scrutiny, and stakeholder input. Similar to prior years, the adopted budget balances the core service and infrastructure management needs of a fast-growing community while ensuring that the city continues to live within available resources. The 2027 budget makes targeted investments and adjustments with a fiscally responsible approach amid uncertainty surrounding effects of recently enacted legislative changes and potential additional changes to municipal finance laws.

Much of the city’s budgeting efforts focus on the core operational budget, which represents the funds and resources that can discretionarily be allocated to community priorities. Previously approved debt service obligations and pension benefit payments are not within the scope of the core operational budget.

Growth in the ongoing 2027 core operational budget was limited to five percent, consistent with the city’s Fiscal Plan and revenue forecast. The core operational budget includes $97.2 million in ongoing expenses and $10.8 million in one-time expenses. Much of the one-time expenses support capital projects and community investments like road and trail improvements to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety and improve connectivity across the city.

Jensen

“As Noblesville continues to grow, we must balance the needs of our community with our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Mayor Jensen. “I appreciate the collaboration with the Noblesville Common Council and city department leaders to develop a budget that prioritizes public safety, makes strategic investments in the future of America’s Hometown, and advances critical infrastructure improvements.  It is vital that we continue to advance economic and community development initiatives that make sense for Noblesville so we can expand job opportunities and provide future resource capacity for the private and public sectors to address community needs.”

The 2027 budget continues the city’s focus on safety, allocating 57 percent of the ongoing core operational budget to public safety – up from 55 percent in 2026 and the highest share in the past six years.

The 2027 core operational budget is $11.5 million more than the 2026 adopted budget, largely due to one-time capital investments and rising operating costs. Ongoing core operational funding increases five percent year-over-year to maintain existing services, while $17.8 million in total one-time expenses supports capital projects and community investments. The budget does not include property or income tax increases as the city is maintaining a $1.10 property tax rate despite implementation of state-mandated credits and deductions and increased local service demands.

Davis

“This budget reflects our commitment to responsibly managing taxpayer dollars while continuing to invest in Noblesville’s future,” Common Council President Mike Davis said. “The 2027 budget maintains essential services, prioritizes public safety and important capital projects, and supports programs that enhance the quality of life for our residents. The council appreciates the collaboration with Mayor Jensen and city department leaders to develop a fiscally responsible budget.”

The city will redirect $11.9 million in Rainy Day Fund reserves toward strategic priorities and near-term capital projects. The budget prioritizes economic development, infrastructure, roads and trails, and managing operating costs. The city will complete or advance capital projects such as a new police headquarters, Fire Station 78, trail maintenance and trail gap programs, and street and sidewalk rehabilitation.

The adopted budget also includes more than $900,000 in contribution increases to police and firefighter pension plans based on a recent state mandate to increase the local contribution rate. The city budget also supports funding grants, such as the Neighborhood Match Grant and Facade Improvement Grant Program, to support aesthetic improvements and quality-of-life projects.