Audio Included in Post. Runs 26 Minutes ©2010 WTLC/Radio One. Because of sharp drops in tax revenues because of property tax reform and the recession, the proposed 2011 budget for Indianapolis city/county government will cut services and programs. Mayor Greg Ballard’s budget proposes spending $1 billion, 149 million dollars, down $73.8 million or 6.0% from this year’s budget. Revenues for 2011 will be only $1 billion, 135 million dollars, down $125.7 million or 10% from this year’s budget. To balance the budget, the Mayor had to dip into reserve funds. Mayor Ballard’s budget proposal includes a “strategic hiring and wage freeze”, no raises for city/county employees, including police officers, no growth in areas like Parks, Public Works, Metropolitan Development and even cuts to Public Safety. The Mayor is also cutting the Community Crime Prevention Grants by 50%; grants that were funded by the 2008 County Option Income Tax increases. Listen to Afternoons with Amos’ interview with City/County Budget Director David Reynolds above. And click below to read and download the 2011 Indianapolis proposed budget documents.
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