Shaffer clarifies Carmel’s 2020 budget numbers

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Dear Editor:

When the Reporter noted on March 6 that “the City of Carmel had more than $70 million in its fund balances,” it omitted two numbers.

On Dec. 31, Carmel told the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (IDLGF) its total outstanding debt obligation was $1.3 billion.

The $70 million is 5.5 percent of that.

And, the city also told the IDLGF its debt principal as of Dec. 31 was $796.4 million.

The $70 million is just under 9 percent of that.

Oh, while I’m at it: The city and its redevelopment outfit spent $42.5 million more than it took in in 2020.

Bill Shaffer

Carmel