The Bartholomew County Council approved an additional appropriation of just over $1.9 million to create a fund to address public safety needs. That money is coming from the increase in the local income tax rate. Barb Hackman, county auditor, explains where this money is going.
Councilwoman Laura DeDomenic explains that in an effort to simplify the budget process, the council chose to fund youth services directly out of a new fund created to capture the proceeds of the income tax increase.
Based on certified figures provided by the state, Bartholomew County is expecting around $2.3 million in additional revenue from the tax increase. New council president Mark Gorbett noted the additional funds received will be going into this newly created fund to tackle future public safety needs. As for what exactly the money will be spent on, he says that the council will need to weigh its options and make additional appropriations this year on a case-by-case basis in the anticipation of budgeting these new funds more accurately in 2019.