Shaffer suggests spending cuts to prevent Carmel budget shortfall

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Dear Editor:

Carmel government officials project a $10 million revenue shortfall in 2026 and $20 million in 2027. The culprit, they say, is the new property tax law passed by the state.

They have a simple, direct and common-sense solution no one believes they will adopt.

They could cut spending.

They, themselves, reported spending last year of $557 million. That means $10 million in cuts would be just a 1.8 percent reduction. And $20 million would, by extension, be a 3.6 percent hack.

Not only would thrift solve the revenue shortfall problems, but it would also reduce the need for further borrowing.

Will common sense prevail?

Bill Shaffer
Carmel