Source: indy reporter (@Indy_reporter_) on X
Well, it looks like the wheel tax wasn’t needed to get the state money. It was additional money on top of a plan that already met the match requirements.
Last week, the Indy City Council’s Public Works Committee met to discuss the budget, and Proposal 192, the plan to raise the wheel and excise taxes, came up.
Councilor Crista Wells asked DPW if the funding plan was essentially the plan to meet the requirements of SEA 179 and receive the state match, notwithstanding the wheel tax proposal.
DPW’s answer was simple: Correct.
Then Councilor Brian Mowery followed up and asked DPW to make it clear for everyone watching that the plan does not include a tax hike to receive the state match.
DPW’s response: “We could have satisfied the match requirements with this plan here alone.”
DPW says the $50 million annually is already included in its five year capital plan through existing revenue sources.
Translation: The city already had a funding plan to meet the state’s matching requirements. The tax increase wasn’t necessary to unlock the state money. It was additional revenue on top of the funding the city had already planned for its capital program.
Remember all of this next year when all of the Councilors that voted YES to raise the wheel & excise tax run for re-election next year.
Also, well done by Brian Mowery to remind Kristin Jones he has the floor.
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