Reforming Fort Wayne Budget Process is Needed

For several decades Fort Wayne has used a budget process that looks at our revenue and compares it to what we spent last year and increases the budget proportionately. I am taking a proactive approach that values your tax dollars for granted.

Move Fort Wayne to a zero-based budget process. Every city department examines what they are doing and why they are doing it and provides different options of service levels to help city council members prioritize city services.

Every household and business in Fort Wayne puts priorities on their spending figures out how their budget matches up with their priorities. Our city budget does not follow this approach and it has not in some time. By reviewing what we do as a city and how we do it and inviting residents to be a part of the budget discussions, Tom’s process increases transparency, which leads to cutting unnecessary spending and delivering savings to taxpayers.

This process has been implemented in other communities across the country. Most notably, large counties in Florida like Hillsborough and Manatee as well as cities like Naperville, Illinois.; Edmonton, Alberta.; and London, Ontario. In these communities this process has helped them to identify what programs need more attention and what areas could be cut, but it takes a concerted effort to make it happen.

The budget process starts on day one of my administration. I already have a process in place to hire leaders committed to reforming the budget process and delivering value to Fort Wayne residents.

State law limits city council’s ability to amend the mayor’s budget. In spite of that we have already cut unnecessary departments like Weights & Measures and this process will empower city council to be better representatives, streamline city services, find sources of government waste, and generate enough savings to cut taxes.