INDIANAPOLIS — During his speech to the Indianapolis City-County Council last month, Mayor Joe Hogsett made it clear that public safety continues to be one of his top priorities.
That's why the city's police and fire departments are set again to receive the largest chunk of next year's budget.
On Wednesday, both department chiefs presented their proposed 2025 budgets to the council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee.
There was very little pushback from councilors.
Currently, IMPD is set to receive about $338 million, which is a 4% increase compared to this year's funding. A large chunk of those dollars will go toward recruitment and officer salaries.
According to IMPD Chief Chris Bailey, the department is down hundreds of officers.
“Currently we have the lowest number of sworn officers we have had in the history of IMPD,” Bailey said.
Despite that, the budget will continue to fund 1,743 officer positions and three recruit classes.
"I can tell you that even at 1,743, it's still not enough to do all the things we want to do, but we have to get to that point. I think that other cities, other major cities, have taken money from their police department and they are paying that price now,” said Bailey.
Another big focus will be on technology. The funds will help maintain the department's body-worn cameras, license plate readers and public safety cameras.
"The community expects us to find them justice, and we can't do that if we don't have the right people, the right pay and the right technology to do it,” Bailey said.
Click here to read IMPD’s budget presentation. You can see IFD's budget proposal by clicking here.
IFD is slated to receive $258 million, which is about $3 million more than this year's budget. The money will go toward equipment upgrades, new fire stations, union contracts and a solely-operated arson unit.
As council committees review next year's proposed budget, the city is also negotiating contracts for all union employees, including police officers and firefighters.
The budget is up for a final vote on Oct. 7 at the full City-County Council meeting.
There will be an opportunity for public comment regarding the budget on Sept. 23.
Click here to review the city’s entire proposed budget for next year.