2013 budget proposes cuts to IFD/IMPD

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The city’s total budget runs close to $1 billion.

Indianapolis city officials are looking at a nearly $65 million gap in the 2013 budget that has to be filled.

Income taxes and property taxes, both major sources of revenue for the city, are down.

Expenses, however, like fuel and health care, have risen.

Under Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s proposal, the following would help close the $65 million gap:

            -$17 million taken from the Rainy Day Fund

            -$10 million taken from the Downtown Economic Development Fund

            -$20 million taken from money budgeted for, but not spent by, other departments

            -$8.1 million saved by eliminating the local homestead tax credit for property tax payers

            -Cuts to public safety, like the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police and Fire Departments:

                    - Renegotiating IMPD & IFD raises; an estimated savings of $5.5 million

    - Reducing police and fire overtime; an estimated savings of $1 million

    - Instituting a monthly surcharge on police take home vehicles; an estimated savings of $1.4 million

    -Cutting funds for police and firefighter recruiting classes

Over the next two months, the council will hold budget hearings about the proposal ahead of a final vote scheduled for October 15.

Democrats have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at the City County Building to layout their analysis of the mayor’s proposal.

24-Hour News 8 will have updates throughout the day.