How does the City Council approach budgeting and how can residents better understand why decisions are made?
Submitted by City of Fishers
Each year, the City Council is charged with the adoption of the following year’s municipal budget. That process begins in early summer when department heads meet with Mayor Fadness and the Controller’s Office to discuss goals and expenditures for the following year.
From there, the Controller’s Office and Mayor Fadness work with City Council members through the Finance Committee and other briefings to review predicted revenues for the following year and how that weighs against goals and expenditures to bring the quality of life expected by residents while balancing fiscally conservative policies.
As we head into the 2021 City Budget cycle, it has been the consistent direction of the administration, in partnership with City Council leadership, that the City of Fishers retain a healthy balance in cash reserves. This allows the City to remain fiscally stable in the event of a possible downturn.
For 2020, the City Council, in partnership with Mayor Fadness, is preparing for a future shortfall in revenues due to decreases in income tax revenue. In anticipation of that decrease, the 2021 in municipal budget for Fishers will not include any major investments capital investments or personnel additions. All department budgets will remain flat for 2021 and a portion of anticipated revenues for 2021 will be preserved as cash reserves for potential future revenue shortfalls.
For 2020, the City Council, in partnership with Mayor Fadness, is preparing for a future shortfall in revenues due to decreases in income tax revenue. In anticipation of that decrease, the 2021 in municipal budget for Fishers will not include any major investments capital investments or personnel additions. All department budgets will remain flat for 2021 and a portion of anticipated revenues for 2021 will be preserved as cash reserves for potential future revenue shortfalls.
As a resident, we welcome you to participate in the 2021 Municipal Budget process at the following 2021 Budget Meetings:
- Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.: Finance Committee Meeting
- Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.: City Council Meeting Presentation and Public Hearing
- Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.: City Council Meeting Budget Adoption
For more information on the 2021 City Budget, visit fishers.in.us/Budget and tune into the livestreamed City Council meetings on September 21 and October 19. Recorded videos are also available on the city’s YouTube channel 24 to 48 hours following the meetings.