Mayor Tucker announces formation of SB1 Fiscal Task Force

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Mayor Sharon Tucker announced on Thursday the creation of a task force to help combat any financial hardships for the City in the wake of Indiana’s passing of Senate Bill 1, which restructures local income tax.

“Our residents, neighborhoods, and businesses have become accustomed to receiving outstanding public services and quality of life amenities as a growing and thriving community,” said Mayor Tucker. “We want neighborhood infrastructure investments, improvements to parks, and vital public safety services to continue unaffected. The work of this new task force will be critical as we set a course of action to try to limit any negative impacts while also looking for viable options to benefit our community moving forward.”

Led by City Controller Pat Roller, the SB1 Fiscal Task Force will meet for the first time on September 2.

The City of Fort Wayne released the following:

Mayor Sharon Tucker has announced the creation of the SB1 Fiscal Task Force as a way for the City of Fort Wayne to be proactive in its approach to helping ensure the City’s finances are strong and sustainable now and in future years.

SB1, passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Mike Braun earlier this year, seeks to reduce property taxes and changes the structure of the local income tax. Major portions of the new law will have financial ramifications for the City.

City Controller Pat Roller will lead the task force. The task force’s first meeting will be on September 2. The task force will examine a number of topics which will include understanding the legislation and how it will impact City finances, identifying key decisions the City Administration and City Council will need to make for budgeting purposes, and understanding the interrelationship between the City and all of the other local taxing units as it relates to SB1.

Members of the SB1 Fiscal Task Force:
-Mayor Sharon Tucker
-City Councilman Marty Bender
-City Councilwoman Michelle Chambers
-City Councilman Nathan Hartman
-Pat Roller – City Controller, City of Fort Wayne
-Valerie Ahr – Deputy City Controller, City of Fort Wayne
-Andrew Downs – Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, City of Fort Wayne
-Megan Flohr – City Council Administrator, City of Fort Wayne
-John Stafford – Community leader and economic development and public finance expert
-John Urbahns, President/CEO, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
-Nick Jordan – Director of Operations and Finance, Trine University Brooks College of Health Professionals and former Allen County Auditor
-Baker Tilly – Consultant, Advisory tax and assurance firm