Columbus City Council has given its initial approval to spending money from last year’s local option income tax increase that was approved by the Bartholomew County Council. Mary Ferdon, the city’s director of administration, explains that the increase was passed after the budgeting process for 2018, necessitating the need for additional appropriations. She says that Columbus is expecting just over $6.35 million in additional revenue for 2018 from the county’s tax increase. As for how that extra money will be spent.
Ferdon talked about how some of these public safety dollars will be spent.
As for infrastructure…
Ferdon talked about the need to address the long-term financial health of the city, noting that Columbus dodged a bullet a couple of weeks ago with the flooding that affected much of the state.
Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on first reading. Second reading is set for May 1st.