Hamilton County Councilors conducted two days of budget hearings Aug. 4-5 at the Judicial Center in Noblesville.
The proposed 2021 budget totals just below $100 million and includes scheduled pay raises for county employees. Elected officials will receive a 1.1 percent pay bump, but salaries for county councilors and commissioners will not increase.
“It’s been two days of pretty intense discussions,” council President Rick McKinney stated. “I’m happy to say however that the budget is balanced and there will not be a county tax rate increase. In fact, the rate should decrease 1.2 percent based on a projected five percent increase in county property valuations.”
Ind. 37 construction could lead to $21 million to $26 million in cost overruns.
“We need to decide whether to pay for that in cash or whether to bond it.” McKinney stated.
Other budget additions include three sheriff’s deputies for security at the county’s historic courthouse and video surveillance cameras.
A public hearing for the budget will be at 7 p.m. Oct.7. Budget adoption consideration will be at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 19.
For more, visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
