By Sadie Hunter
Some City of Noblesville employees could be getting a pay raise in the 2017 operating budget, which was presented to the Noblesville Common Council at its Oct. 11 meeting.
In 2015, the city passed a red, unbalanced budget, followed by 2016 barely-in-the-black budget, but this year, the city is saying 2 percent raises in this year’s balanced budget for most department directors is necessary to stay competitive with comparable jobs in the area.
A mostly comprehensive pay increase for city employees and appointed officials hasn’t happened since the proposal of the 2014 budget in October 2013, where they also saw a 2 percent increase.
Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear is also getting a raise, taking his 2016 salary of $112,448 to $114,852 for 2017, a 2.14 percent increase.
Overall, the proposed 2017 budget is $70,930,173, with a $46,378,356 general fund. Approximately 56 of the overall operational budget is for public safety. The budget also saw a 15 percent increase in health insurance costs and is accounting for 11 1/2 new employees throughout several city departments.
The council’s finance committee will meet at 9 a.m. Oct. 18 to further discuss the proposed budget before it goes back to council for final consideration at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at city hall, 16. S. 10th St.
