The Fishers City Council has put its stamp of approval on the proposal to increase the Hamilton County Local Income Tax by 0.1 percent to funding 911 emergency services.
The state law governing these decisions requires elected municipalities representing more than 50 percent of the county’s population to approve the proposal for it to become law in all of Hamilton County.
Under that state provision, if only Fishers and Carmel councils approve the 911 tax, it becomes effective in all of Hamilton County. So far, the Arcadia Town Council is the only other municipality to approve this tax.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness explains the LIT tax increase, which will fund 911 service. (Photo provided by Larry Lannan)
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness argued in favor of enacting this tax increase. The city’s share of funding countywide 911 service is $1.3 million in 2019, and would grow to $1.7 million in 2020. The mayor said he fashioned his 2020 city budget proposal assuming this tax would be enacted. If not, Fadness told the Council cuts would need to be made in next year’s spending plan.
The vote was 8-0, with council member David George unable to attend the Monday meeting.
During the public hearing, former Fishers Town Councilor Mike Colby and unsuccessful mayoral candidate in this year’s GOP primary, Logan Day, each argued against enacting the 0.1 percent income tax increase.